Brathwaite a ‘little’ nervous before heroics

West Indies' final-over hero Carlos Brathwaite proved to be the master of the understatement when he called the situation in the World Twenty20 final against England 'a little nerve-wracking'.
The Windies needed 19 runs off the final over in Kolkata to win their second WT20 title. and Brathwaite smashed Ben Stokes for four sixes in a row to end the game with two balls to spare.
The Windies were chasing 156 to win, and while they were initially three down for just 23, a brilliant effort from Marlon Samuels, who made 85 not out, kept them in the game until the last.
Brathwaite said to ESPN Caribbean of the final over: "It was a little nerve-wracking to be honest, I just tried to stay focused, use my cue words, watch the ball and take some pressure off Marlon.
"It would have been too hard to give him a single and expect him to do it all. I just had to bite the bullet and try to get a couple of boundaries, which fortunately I did, give God thanks for bringing it home for the people in West Indies.
"After the third six I just backed myself, go hard, if it goes in the air I knew Marlon would finish it but I knew I had to be there as close to the end as possible.
"We continued to back ourselves, back our strength and our strength is hitting boundaries. Once we knew it was manageable we knew we could do it.
"I just want say a special mention to everyone in Sergeant's Village, my family, my friends and especially to Mr Erroll Edie, the master bat-maker from the Caribbean.
"He made this special beauty for me to use in the World Cup and he told me, 'Carlos, go out there and smash 'em'. Erroll, I did, and now we are world champions."
Brathwaite also addressed the pre-tournament criticism from the media, as well as the side's constant struggles with their board over salaries and contracts, saying that their talent saw them triumph, despite the obstacles.
He added: "Most of the nations have more resources than we do, but we have natural talent. It has been said we don't have brains, that we don't harness our talent, that we do things off the field that contribute to poor on-field success.
"But I just want to say being around these guys, that everything we do on and off the field is for the betterment of West Indies, not just the team but also cricket and the region in general."
Latest
-
News
Dom Bess and Jack Leach spin Sri Lanka into serious trouble in Galle
England are closing in on a series win.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
News
England paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
News
Masterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.