‘We were in it to win it when we left the Caribbean’
‘With all that happened before the tournament, the disrespect from journalists, and from our own cricket board, that was out of order. The only way we could make a statement is by winning this tournament’
Carlos Brathwaite smashed England's Ben Stokes for four successive sixes in the final over with a breathtaking display of power-hitting to snatch a sensational four-wicket victory for the West Indies in the World Twenty20 final on Sunday.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy and his rag-tag bunch of Twenty20 mercenaries had been on the verge of boycotting the tournament over a pay dispute with their board but ended it in a blaze of glory.
Victorious captain Sammy said it was "disrespect" from their own cricket board (WICB) that made the team all the more determined to win the ICC World T20 for the second time.
"We needed silverware in the Caribbean in 2012, and yes, nobody gave us a chance back then. This one, with all that happened before the tournament, the disrespect from journalists and from our own cricket board, that was out of order. The only way we could make a statement is by winning this tournament," Sammy said at the post-match press conference on Sunday.
"When you see those 15 men out there play now, that's what we could talk about. It is solely dedicated to the people and fans all over the world," said Sammy.
He spoke about how the U-19 team and the women's team inspired them to do well.
"I would like to thank the Almighty as it would not have been possible without His blessings. It means a lot, not only for us as team but for our fans all over the world. We started the tournament inspired by U-19 boys. Earlier this afternoon the women won the Cup. All those are motivation to complete a treble. This means a lot for the cricket in the region."
"We left the Caribbean with a six-step goal for the Cup. Carlos (Brathwaite) in his debut World T20 has shown what a player he is. Marlon again in a final speaks volumes. All the guys chipped in. For me, as a leader, it was joy to captain. For me, it was about handling the egos and get the right decision. People may say I didn’t bat much but my job was to get the best out of the team," Sammy explained his role.
"We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, we keep on praying," Sammy said after becoming the first captain to lead a team to a second World T20 title.
"Good to see Carlos play like that in his debut World Cup. Shows the Twenty20 depth we have in the Caribbean. Hopefully, we will continue to improve."
Sammy agreed that West Indies get a lot of flak because of the dipping performance of the Test squad but felt that this win could act as an inspiration.
"We keep getting a lot of stick because the way we play Tests. T20 and Tests are totally different. This is the fact that allows us to win. We have a young captain in Jason (Holder), who is improving all the time. Hope this will could inspire our Test cricketers."
For Sammy, it was the 'never say die' attitude that became key to success. There are pressing issues but he is at peace with himself.
"I am always at peace with myself. There are issues. The main focus was to play to win. We had the belief. Haven't you seen the belief and never-say-die attitude in the team? Had some tough victories. Today, it was another tough one. It was good to come out across the line."
But there was genuine pain in his voice when he spoke about the fact that he does not know when is the next time that he will wear a West Indies shirt as there are no T20's scheduled for the team this year.
"I don't know when I will see the guys in the dressing room again. Don't see any T20 schedule this year. We have a tri-series, a series against India. We are not eligible for selection."
"We were in it to win it when we left the Caribbean. One particular journalist (Mark Nicholas) said we are players with no brain and that comment brought the team together. The way the men came out and played.
“Look at the side… Gayle, Bravo, Holder, Brathwaite, Benn, any given day they could have a brilliant performance. We had 15 match-winners. That's the hallmark. We keep winning convincingly shows we are not a one man team."
Sammy believes that Brathwaite's four sixes were proof that why he has been paid a huge sum by Delhi Daredevils at this year's auction.
"There was a reason why he was bought in the IPL. You saw what he is capable of doing. He is one to watch out for. The way he has played with the bat and ball… he is going to be a massive asset for us. He has improved every game. No Pollard, no Darren Bravo, No Narine, yet we still won the cup, shows we are too good in this format."
He also praised leg-spinner Samuel Badree, the No 1 ranked bowler in the ICC T20 list.
"It is not forgotten. That's why he is No. 1 bowler in T20 cricket. He bowled wicket-to-wicket and set the game for us. But we kept taking wickets. In this Kolkata pitch, we are happy with that 150-plus total."
