We were still in the game, says Sammy

Monday, 24 September 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Darren Sammy didn’t look too downcast after his team went down by 17 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method to Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 2012, though the West Indian skipper did say that had the rain not intervened, his side could still have successfully defended its 191 for 8.

Australia had reached 100 for 1 in 9.1 overs, needing a further 92 off 65 deliveries with two set batsmen in the middle in Shane Watson and Mike Hussey. “I think rain played its part, otherwise it would have been a cracker of a game,” said Sammy. “We thought we were still in it. They still needed nine an over and they had to keep going. It’s unfortunate that weather played a part but that’s something we have to get over. We are now looking forward to the next game, against Ireland.”

The winner of the West Indies-Ireland game will join Australia in the Super Eights.

Sammy sought to downplay Dwayne Smith’s dropped catch off Watson, a dismissal that could have proved decisive. “Catches (being dropped) in cricket happens all the time, it’s unfortunate that it did,” said Sammy. “We all know the saying catches win matches... Gayle was given a chance in our innings and we saw how he made them pay. That’s something you can’t control but we just have to get I right for the next game. The build-up (to the game) was very exciting and I think both teams did deliver but it was unfortunate that rain played its part.”

Sammy said that even if he had known that rain was around, he would have chosen to bat first.

“We back ourselves to set targets and I think we did that. Probably if we knew about the rains later, we might have thought about it (chasing),” said Sammy. “But we still back ourselves to set targets and defend them. It’s good we achieved our first target with the bat, put lots of runs on the board. They still needed 90 off 65; a wicket or two we were still there in the game. We still believe that we can win this tournament. We need to win against Ireland and make sure we qualify for the Super Eights and take it from there.”

Australia came into this event ranked No. 9 on the ICC T20 charts, but Sammy said numbers didn’t really count for much. “Every team in this tournament has a chance. Yes, they are ranked No. 9 but we know they are much better than that and they have shown that in this tournament. It’s just who turns up on the day and plays better cricket will obviously win and today, they won,” said Sammy.