West Indies claim dramatic World Twenty20 win

West Indies won cricket’s World Twenty20 title after mounting a stunning assault in the final over.

Chasing 156 to win, West Indies needed 19 runs from the last six balls. Marlon Samuels, who was on 85 not out, was at the non-striker’s end leaving hard-hitting all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite with the task of securing an unlikely success.

Brathwaite struck four consecutive sixes off the first four balls of the final over to seal a four wicket victory and West Indies’ second ever World T20 crown.

England’s Ben Stokes had been trusted with the final over, but the bowler unravelled in spectacular style Brathwaite wreaked havoc.

Their total of 155 never looked likely to be enough on an excellent batting wicket, but England made early inroads as they reduced West Indies to 13 for 3.

Samuels helped to steady this ship, while Dwayne Bravo’s 25 from 27 balls kept them in the hunt. Brathwaite’s finished with 34 from just 10 balls to break England’s hearts, his highest score in T20 internationals.

West Indies had England on the back foot during the early part of their innings, but Joe Root (54) and Jos Buttler (36) put together a partnership of 61 to give them renewed hope.

Three quick wickets for just one run when England were 110 for 4 shifted the momentum back towards the West Indies, but late resistance from Chris Jordan (21) and David Willey (21) helped them to a reasonable total.

Brathwaite and Bravo were the pick of the West Indies bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Samuel Badree weighed in with two.

David Willey topped England’s bowling with three wickets, but Stokes’ concession of 41 runs in just 2.4 overs was ultimately the difference between the two teams.