The West Indies have won a world title for the first time since the glory days of Clive Lloyd’s side in 1979 and they’re determined to make it last.
Captain Darren Sammy says the Windies, known for their individual brilliance and also for constant battles with their cricket board in recent years, are back in the groove.
Their 36-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday night in the World Twenty20 final came in a manner not normally associated with the Windies.
They were just 2-14 from the six-over powerplay at the start of their innings – a record low for the team – but somehow managed to pile on 107 runs in the last 10 overs to score 6-137.
With the ever-dangerous Chris Gayle back in the sheds for three, the Windies looked to man-of-the-match Marlon Samuels who scored a career-best 78 off 56 balls including six sixes.
In reply Sri Lanka never got going, scoring 101 all out after losing big guns Mahela Jayawardene (33) and Kumar Sangakkara (22) in the first 12.1 overs on a slow-paced pitch.
Samuels, who returned to the Windies’ side in 2011 after serving a two-year ban over match-fixing allegations, said he had always believed in himself and the knockers could please themselves.
Sammy, criticised as the Windies’ “non-playing” captain, contributed an unbeaten 26, took 2-6 then played a leading role in the on-field dancing routines of his players as fireworks exploded to mark the end of the tournament.
“This is the start of something special for the West Indies team and the fans back home,” Sammy said.
“I will always cherish this moment.
“The team has been through a lot in the past few years but there was belief amongst us that we could win the World T20.
“Today we were down and out, but our never-say-die attitude came out.”
Sammy said he didn’t play to prove the critics wrong, he played for his fellow West Indians.
“From Jamaica to Guyana the party must have started,” Sammy smiled.
“And I tell you we know how to party. I am sure they will need a lot of bartenders out there tonight.”
Jayawardene announced he was quitting as his country’s T20 captain, saying it was time for a younger man to take on the role.
Australia were awarded a consolation prize as allrounder Shane Watson stepped forward to receive the player-of-the-series award.
The Windies thrashed Australia by 74 runs in their semi-final, although George Bailey’s side had beaten the Windies in the group stage in a rain-affected clash.
Bailey is determined to lead the team in the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh and says the side are making real progress, although questions remain over their middle-order batting with veteran David Hussey failing to impress after being recalled for the semi-final in place of young allrounder Glenn Maxwell.