West Indies aiming for World T20 history: Sammy

West Indies aiming for World T20 history: Sammy
MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Buoyant captain Darren Sammy says his West Indies are highly motivated to become the first team to retain the World Twenty20 title as they prepare for the first semifinal against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

"That´s something no one has done before and we hope we can do it," Sammy said on Wednesday. "It´s all about momentum and we feel we have shown that we are a dangerous side."

The Caribbean side began its title defence with arguably the best T20 batsman in Chris Gayle and the format´s two best bowlers in legspinner Samuel Badree and offspinner Sunil Narine. Those three have performed, and the team has showed off its depth thanks to big-hitting allrounders Sammy and Dwayne Bravo producing whirlwind knocks to eliminate Australia and Pakistan.

Sammy got 42 off 20 deliveries against Pakistan and 34 off 13 against Australia while Dwayne Bravo had 46 off 26 against Pakistan and 27 off 12 against Australia.

"The team spirit and never-say-die attitude has been our strong point. The makeup of the side is such that it allows our openers Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith to play freely," Sammy said in reference to the rearguard abilities.

But Sammy cautioned it was all about delivering again. "After our loss to India in the first match, everyone thought we had no chance of making the knockouts, but here we are," he said.

Badree and Narine bagged three wickets each against Pakistan but Sri Lanka can be expected to adjust quickly to conditions they are more familiar with.

Group One winners Sri Lanka have reached two World T20 finals, only to lose to England in 2009 and the West Indies in 2012. Sri Lanka have also been the losing finalists at the last two World Cups won by Australia in 2007 and by India in 2011.

Sri Lanka coach Paul Farbrace, though, said losing in finals does not go against Sri Lanka. "One way of looking at it is that we lose in finals," the Englishman said. "You could also say that the team always does well and goes through to finals."

Lasith Malinga remains a feared bowler and can be expected to be backed by Nuwan Kulasekara, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is suddenly an important factor after recording the tournament´s best figures of 5-3 against New Zealand in their semifinal decider on Monday.

The second semifinal will be between Group Two winner India and South Africa on Friday. (AP)