COLOMBO — Chris Gayle smashed an unbeaten 75 off 41 balls as the West Indies stormed into the World Twenty20 final with a record 74-run demolition of Australia here Friday. The left-hander pounded six sixes and five fours as the Windies piled up the tournament's highest total of 205-4 after electing to bat on what was regarded as a slow pitch unsuited to aggressive batting. The Australians found the huge target too hot to handle and folded up for 131 in 16.4 overs at the Premadasa stadium in front of 28,000 awe-struck spectators still reeling from the West Indies innings. Skipper George Bailey played a lone hand for the Aussies, making 63 off 29 balls with four sixes and six boundaries after adding 68 for the seventh wicket with Pat Cummins. Darren Sammy's men take on host Sri Lanka in Sunday's final with both sides looking for their first World Twenty20 title. The biggest Twenty20 win for the West Indies, surpassing their 70-run victory over Ireland in 2010, was celebrated by the entire team performing an energetic version of global hit “Gangnam Style” in the middle. Gayle, who lost his opening partner Johnson Charles in the third over, plodded for nine balls to make four before swinging Shane Watson for a six over long-off. That opened the floodgates for an onslaught as Marlon Samuels and Gayle smashed left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for a six each in one over and Brad Hogg was greeted into the attack with another six from Samuels. Samuels contributed 26 in a second-wicket stand of 41 with Gayle when he was bowled by Cummins attempting another big hit. Gayle, who faced just 18 balls in the first 10 overs, still managed to bring up his half-century off 29 deliveries with the help of four sixes and three boundaries. All-rounder Dwayne Bravo (37) helped Gayle add 83 for the third wicket from just 51 deliveries to propel the innings at a brisk pace. Kieron Pollard hit 38 off 15 balls as the West Indies plundered 55 runs in the final three overs, including 25 off the last six deliveries by Doherty. Australia never recovered after opener David Warner was bowled by spinner Samuel Badree with the sixth delivery and crashed to 43-6 by the eighth over. Scores: West Indies 205-4 in 20 overs (Chris Gayle 75 not out, Kieron Pollard 38, Dwayne Bravo 37; Pat Cummins 2-36). Australia 131 all out in 16.4 overs (George Bailey 63; Ravi Rampaul 3-16, Kieron Pollard 2-6, Sunil Narine 2-17, Samuel Badree 2-27). Aussies to play England in women's T20 final Defending champion Australia will face England in the women's World Twenty20 final after cruising past the West Indies by 28 runs Friday. Seamer Julie Hunter claimed 5-22 as Australia, restricted to 115-7 after electing to bat, shot the West Indies out for 87 in the semifinal at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Lisa Sthalekar marked her 50th T20 international with a top score of 23 and then conceded just six runs in her four overs to help Hunter fashion Australia's emphatic win. Australia take on main rival England in Sunday's final looking to avenge a seven-wicket defeat during the league phase in Galle. Brief scores: Australia 115-7 in 20 overs (Lisa Sthalekar 23, Alex Blackwell 21, Jodie Fields 19 not out, Shanel Daley 2-23, Shaquana Quintyne 2-23). West Indies 87 all out in 19.2 overs (Shanel Daley 25, Juliana Nero 31, Julie Hunter 5-22). — Agencies
