The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

The rise of the West Indies women's team

Sun, Apr 17, '16

by TONY COZIER

Commentary

The unforgettable six-hitting spectacle that sealed West Indies' unlikely last-over conquest of England in the men's final of the World T20 in Kolkata transformed Carlos Brathwaite into an overnight superstar.

His consecutive 6, 6, 6, 6 demolition of England's trusted "death" bowler Ben Stokes, along with his unassuming, common-sense reaction to his sudden fame, has made the strapping Bajan the subject of television interviews and newspaper columns across the globe.

Had it been someone far better known, Marlon Samuels, for instance, for his unbeaten 66-ball 85 that earned him a follow-up Man-of-the-Match award to that in the 2012 final against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the fascination would hardly have been the same as with Brathwaite, a first-timer at the World T20.

The spotlight shone brightly as well on Stafanie Taylor, captain of the triumphant women's team and Player of the Tournament. The achievement by her and her team was in many ways even more significant than that of the men.