Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | April 1, 2016
England v India
ICC World Twenty20 final
Sunday, April 3rd
Play starts: 14:30 BST
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Live on Sky Sports 2
England can claim title for a second time
England and the West Indies (both 10/11 equal chances for victory with Coral) have lost once apiece already on their way to the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final, however the former just so happen to have done so against the latter.
Victory would be the ultimate revenge, therefore, for Eoin Morgan’s men after their defeat against the Caribbean nation in the first match of the tournament, but they face a side who just knocked out hosts India in thrilling fashion.
The Windies smashed their way past the Men in Blue’s decent total of 192-2, and largely without their superstar Chris Gayle, who hit a magnificent unbeaten 100 against England, after being bowled out early for just five.
Gayle hasn’t really found his touch since that wonder-knock in the Group 1 opener, but you can count on him producing on the big stage, so back him at 9/4 to be top batsman for his team. Or, if you fancy him in an enhanced Coral wincast, then take odds of 11/2.
Lendl Simmons, with his fantastic 80 off 51 balls, Johnson Charles and Andre Russell were the main men that saw the Windies through their semi-final, and are respective 3/1, 4/1 and 8/1 shouts in the best batsman market.
England, though, arguably have the better batting line-up, as all 11 players right down to Liam Plunkett are capable of getting runs.
Joe Root has impressed most this tournament for Trevor Bayliss’ team, hitting 195 runs from his five innings (at an average of 49), and is second only to India’s Virat Kohli (273 runs) without including those from qualifying.
Opener Jason Roy, though, is just 12 runs behind the Test vice-captain, after his match-winning 78 off 44 balls to destroy New Zealand in the semis. He is 3/1 in the same market, and a more enticing 7/1 in the enhanced wincast.
Others to look out for include Alex Hales (3/1), Jos Buttler (11/2), Morgan (6/1) and Moeen Ali (16/1).
In four fixtures at Kolkata in this World Twenty20, just one has produced a high-scoring occasion, with pacemen largely causing damage with the ball.
David Willey, Chris Jordan (both 7/2 to be best bowler) and Ben Stokes (9/2) have all impressed for England so far – the latter duo of which particularly at the death – and will be crucial to their team’s chances again.
Spinning all-rounders Adil Rashid (3/1) and Ali (4/1) will still play a part too.
For the Windies, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell got two wickets each against England last time out, and are respective 3/1 and 7/2 shouts for the Caribbean side.
Former champs collide, Windies aiming for double
Both England (in 2010) and the West Indies (2012) are former champions of this competition, but the former look likely to gain revenge and lift the title for a second time.
However, the Windies’ women’s team are also through to the final in their edition of the competition earlier in the day, and are 7/4 to beat Australia (4/9 odds-on favourites).
