Andre Fletcher on Sunday insisted he was not trying to steal Chris Gayle’s limelight after he powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in their ICC World Twenty20 match in Bangalore.
Fletcher, 28, smashed an unbeaten 84, including five sixes and six fours, as the West Indies successfully chased down Sri Lanka’s paltry score of 122-9.
Fletcher spearheaded the attack with his 64-ball knock in the absence of explosive opener Gayle, who suffered a tweak in his left hamstring while fielding and did not bat.
Photo: AP
A West Indies spokesman told reporters that the 36-year-old’s injury was “not major,” but it raises questions about how much of the remaining tournament he will now play.
“I don’t think anybody in the world can take his [Gayle’s] place,” Fletcher said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to bat,” the man of the match added.
An unimpressed crowd repeatedly chanted “We want Gayle. We want Gayle,” anxious to see the Jamaican who has played several seasons for the city’s team in the glitzy Indian Premier League.
He teased the crowd by stepping out of the bunker with his bat after the third wicket fell, bringing roars from the stadium, only to walk back inside.
Gayle smashed a scorching century last week during the West Indies’ demolition of England by six wickets in their opening Group One Super 10 match.
Despite the injury, Gayle said on Twitter that he expected to play again in the tournament.
“Great team win tonight. The Bengaluru crowd/fans always amazing, sorry y’all didn’t see me bat tonight but I will be back,” he wrote.
The West Indies are one of the weakest teams in Test cricket, but they remain a force in the shortest format and are gunning for their second World T20 title after winning the trophy in 2012.
“We back ourselves to win… We now have two wins under our belt,” Fletcher said.
Johnson Charles made 10, before chopping the ball onto his stumps, while Marlon Samuels was gone for three and wicketkeeper Danesh Ramdin was bowled for five. Andre Russell was not out on 20.
Defending champions Sri Lanka have been struggling for form since winning the trophy two years ago, slumping to seventh in the world rankings.
They posted 122-9 after West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to field.
All-rounder Thisara Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with 40, including five fours, off 29 balls at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, while skipper Angelo Mathews chipped in with 20.
“We kept losing wickets and by the time we reassessed it was too late,” Mathews said.
“We made mistakes here and there and that cost us the match,” he added.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, the star for Sri Lanka in their win over Afghanistan last week, started in promising style, smacking a six off the second ball.
However, the 39-year-old was sent packing in the third over, LBW to Carlos Braithwaite.
His opening partner Dinesh Chandimal made a quick 16 runs from 18 balls before he was sensationally run out, thanks to quick fielding by Johnson Charles at cover.
Chandimal wanted a swift single and took off down the pitch, but was sent scampering back by Lahiru Thirimanne at the other end.
Thirimanne was gone just seven balls later for five, as the wickets tumbled thanks to solid West Indies bowling led by leg-spinner Samuel Badree.
Perera and Mathews combined to steady the ship, adding 44 runs for the sixth wicket, before the captain was caught behind.
Perera was caught at the boundary in the final over by Russell.
The West Indies are to play South Africa in Nagpur on Friday, while Sri Lanka next meet England in New Delhi on Saturday.
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