Darren Sammy thumped consecutive sixes to all but knock Australia out of the World Twenty 20, but saved the most telling blow for the post-match press conference.
He had just executed a remarkable comeback victory on Friday, blasting an astonishing 34 off 13 as the West Indies pulled off an unlikely chase of Australia’s 179-run target to secure a six-wicket win.
The towering sixes, which secured the win with two balls to spare, came off combative Australian allrounder James Faulkner, who in the lead-up to the all-important fixture declared he disliked the West Indian team.
“Talk is cheap,” the affable West Indies captain said of Faulkner’s pre-game taunts.
“Cricket is a game of action. You could talk all you want, but it is the action that happens on the field that matters.
“West Indies acted today, it feels very good to come home.
“It was not an easy win. We fought for it.
“That win will definitely hurt them. I guess Faulkner would not like us anymore.”
When asked if the strikes were extra sweet because they came off Faulkner, Sammy didn’t hide his delight.
“I don’t care who it was bowling. We just knew we had to get 12 runs,” he said.
“But it makes you feel even better when it is the guy who was talking a lot before the game.”
Despite a lacklustre batting performance in which another Glenn Maxwell (45 off 22) cameo papered over another top order collapse against spin to give Australia a total of 8-178, the West Indies appeared headed for an early exit from the tournament as the final overs approached.
A whirlwind Chris Gayle (53) innings seemed a distant memory as Sammy and Dwayne Bravo (27 off 30) stood in the middle, requiring 42 runs from the final three overs for an unlikely win.
Sammy took 19 off Mitchell Starc (2-50) in the penultimate over, leaving 12 to come from the final six balls – which he negotiated with ease to spark wild celebrations on the field.
Gayle led the charge onto the field, launching into the Gangnam Style dance which characterised their T20 title in 2012 as shattered Australian players attempted to grasp just how they’d let victory slip through their fingers.
The loss all but ends Australia’s hopes of claiming an elusive T20 title.
Their chances of progressing to the semi-finals now not only require victories over India and Bangladesh in their remaining matches, but also rest on a remarkable set of circumstances that would include easybeats Bangladesh springing an upset against Pakistan.
“I would imagine it makes it pretty difficult,” Bailey said of Australia’s chances of reaching the semi-finals.
“I think we looked at the start of the tournament and probably thought you could lose one.
“I’m not sure you can afford to lose two.”
The match turned back in Australia’s favour when Gayle, who was given a life on 26 when Brad Haddin missed a simple stumping chance, was dismissed by young legspinner James Muirhead (1-21).
His exit saw the runrate saw to 16 an over – only for Sammy to produce the remarkable.
