COLOMBO — West Indies was crowned the World Twenty20 champion after beating host Sri Lanka by 36 runs in a bowler-dominated final at the R. Premadasa Stadium Sunday. Sri Lanka restricted West Indies to 137 for six wickets to boost its chances of winning its maiden World Twenty20 title but the dream did not materialize as it was shot out for 101 runs in 18.4 overs. Chasing a seemingly modest victory target, Sri Lanka was going steadily at 48 for one before its batting order caved in, partially because of its anxiousness to stay ahead of the par score in case of a rain interruption which seemed so imminent. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene (33) and former captain Kumar Sangakkara (22) got the starts but could not carry on and only one more Sri Lankan - Nuwan Kulasekara (26) - managed double figure in an otherwise abject batting capitulation. Spinner Sunil Narine was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, claiming three for nine runs to cap his excellent run in the tournament. West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss but was left to rue his decision to bat first as the Sri Lankan bowlers stifled his batsmen, restricting a side teeming with big-hitters to 32 for two wickets in 10 overs. Spinner Ajantha Mendis (4-12) broke West Indies' back, but Marlon Samuels hit a 56-ball 78 to prove that the host was not really unplayable as West Indies recovered somewhat to post 137 for six on the board. Down the order, Sammy chipped in with an unbeaten 26 off 15 balls to give some respectability to the team total. For Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews (1-11) set the tone, starting with a maiden over in which he dismissed the scoreless Johnson Charles before Mendis wrecked the West Indies batting order. West Indies 137-6 (Marlon Samuels 78, Darren Sammy 26 not out; Ajantha Mendis 4-12) defeat Sri Lanka 101 (Mahela Jayawardene 33, Nuwan Kulasekara 26, Kumar Sangakkara 22; Sunil Narine 3-9, Darren Sammy 2-6). Earlier, Australia won the women's title for the second straight time, beating England by four runs in the final. Australia scored 142-4 and restricted England to 138-9 at R. Premadasa Stadium. “(I'm) so proud of this team,” Australia captain Jodie Fields said. “England played a really good match but we had the belief in our team.” “I wouldn't change the decision to bowl first,” England captain Charlotte Edwards said. “It still came down to six off the last ball. It wasn't to be a fairy tale but (I) hope we have done the country proud.” Cameron was named player of the match and Edwards was given the player of the tournament award. Scores: Australia 142-4 in 20 overs (Jess Cameron 45; Holly Colvin 2-21) vs. England 138-9 in 20 overs (Jess Jonassen 3-25, Lisa Sthalekar 2-16, Julie Hunter 2-36). — Agencies
