The West Indies will be hoping to take home both the Women’s and Men’s t20 World Title, and based off their recent performances it doesn’t look out of reach. That said, there’s something to be said for consistency and neither their men nor women can claim to hold that. Here we take a look at the sides facing each other, and what the outcomes might be.
Men: England v West Indies
England captain Eoin Morgan said in the lead up to the final, “I think [winning the final] would be a great reward for the mindset we’ve shown, the dedication and the hard work we’ve put in.” And in fairness, this may be what it comes down to: England’s hard work against the purely unpredictable talent in the West Indies side.
This probably wasn’t the final people were expecting, especially considering the Caribbean nation lost to Afghanistan earlier in the tournament. Regardless, they then came out and put to shame the thinking that all of us, including India, shared, which was that if you score big and get Gayle out, you win.
Well, well, well, out came Johnson Charles, Andrew Russell and Lendl Simmons to make a mockery of that mantra. And it is this principle that will have English fans concerned. What team will turn up in Eden Gardens? Even if they score 200 and take Gayle for a duck, what’s to say Simmons won’t walk out and hit a century. It’s just too hard to say.
What’s worth considering is the impact the pitch might have. Now that the hosts aren’t in the frame, the temptation of the groundsmen to prep the pitch for spinners may be diminished, and the West Indies are obviously most dangerous when the bowl is bouncing the way of the batters. In Mumbai, India couldn’t keep the ball inside the ropes, and England will worry they’ll be on the receiving end of the same if the pitch plays well.
That said, England have proven themselves immensely good at doing what matters – winning. It’s a young, plucky side which, as the captain says above, has improved dramatically in a short space of time. Hopefully this is not a game to be dictated by a poor pitch and fumbles in the field. Hopefully, we’ll get the final we expect.
Punt at Betfair
- England by 6 runs
Women: West Indies v Australia
There’s a bit less to say in terms of the match up in the Women’s final – three-time reigning champs Australia up against a West Indies side which really, considering the last couple of overs the other night, ended up lucky to get past New Zealand in the semi-final.
For the neutrals, it’s a bit of a win-loss really. Seeing the rivals from across the Tasman face each other in the final would have been fun, but at the same time, West Indies Women have lost at the second to last leg in the past three years. It’s a cold heart that would have wished that fate upon them once again.
But coming into the final, it’s hard to imagine anything other than an Australia wrap up. It’s been a good run from Stafanie Taylor’s ladies, with a couple of close shaves which tested their mettle and may well hold them in good stead come pressure time on Sunday.
Then again, maybe their nerves will have worn a bit thin by the end. This is, after all, a very experienced Australian line-up led ably by Meg Lanning in the green and gold.
Australian keeper Alyssa Healy has said, “They’re an unpredictable team and we’ll just put our plans in place and hopefully they come off on Sunday.” So, whilst the West Indies – much like their male counterparts – are the dark horse in terms of what to expect, it would be an incredible feat should they lift that trophy that has eluded them to this point.
Punt at Betfair
- Australia by 25 runs
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