Will WI go to the finals of Women's World Cup 2013

West Indies is known for fun and entertainment.  Often referred to as ‘Calypso Kings’ after Calypso, a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid 20th century. The music, which drew upon African and French influences, became the voice of the people, and was characterized by highly rhythmic and harmonic vocals, which was most often sung in a French creole and led by a griot.

Once in a T20 match, Pollard was hitting sixers at will [has done that in many matches], this time a super fast delivery from Shaun Tait went soaring in the country side ~ the batsmen at the crease Pollard and Bravo celebrated in their own way, dancing and laughing as it took some time for the ball to be retrieved from the woods. 

Remember the thrilling finals of T20 at Sri Lanka in Oct 2012 ~  Marlon Sameuls stood tall among the ruins as one batsman after the other came and went.   Some thought  there could be no chance of watching the much touted Gangnam dance – no chance for Gayle at the centre, with grin as broad as his broadest of bats, dancing to "Gangnam Style" ! First  WI crumbled against Lankan mystery spin. Gayle failed, so did Pollard – but the man possessed Marlon Samuels took on the best of Lankan Bowler the Slinga Malinga in a fashion that none has done so far.   In the end Pollard, Gayle, Russel,Sammy,  Bravos, Charles and more were dancing in the outfield – it was all  gangnam.  "Gangnam Style"  is a single by South Korean rapper Psy.

West Indian woman are making a point that they are not far behind their male counterparts.  Yesterday, WI beat NZ by 48 runs.  West Indies showed why they are known as one of the most improved sides in women's cricket with their first-ever win over New Zealand, beating the latter by 48 runs in a Super Six match to move to second place with six points.  Now point-wise, WI are second with NRR of +1.136.  In the present format, there is no Semi-finals, but top 2 teams from the Super Six qualify for the Finals directly.  WI are on top [2nd] and can qualify either by winning against Australia or by losing by a small margin.  If WI loses by a big margin, England or New Zealand have theortical chance of qualifying for the Finals. 

In yesterday’s match allrounder Shanel Daley and offspinner Anisa Mohammed added 45 valuable runs for the ninth wicket, the highest partnership in the game, to push their side past 200. Medium-pacer Tremayne Smartt then shocked the New Zealand top order with sharp, late inswing.

Here is a photo from cricinfo.com of Tremayne Smart celebrating her 3-39, though the style of dance is not exactly known.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

12th Feb 2013.