ICC World Twenty20: Will England beat West Indies in the final?
James Anderson, Kumar Sangakkara and more have their say...
Last Updated: 03/04/16 1:21pm
England are set for a Sunday showdown with West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 final.
Eoin Morgan's men reached the showpiece game with a clincial win over New Zealand on Wednesday, while West Indies sealed their spot a day later with a stunning triumph over hosts India.
England ran into a rampant Chris Gayle when the sides met earlier in the tournament, the Jamaican's 47-ball ton condemning them to a six-wicket defeat, so can they gain revenge when it matters most?
James Anderson, Kumar Sangakkara, Bob Willis and many more pundits have their say...
JAMES ANDERSON
"I think England have showed more consistency than West Indies throughout the competition and they clicked brilliantly in the semi-final against New Zealand, while West Indies lost to Afghanistan and have been a bit more iffy. West Indies batted very smartly against India but I think England have a great chance."
MATT PRIOR
"England are flying, have peaked at the right time and are living the dream, quite frankly, so I think they have a very good chance. West Indies have played brilliantly throughout the whole competition and are not a one-man band - they are a team and they work as a team.
"However, having missed out against India and Afghanistan, Chris Gayle will be very motivated, so that is a big worry - England will also have his big innings against them earlier in the competition in their mind. If you want to win a big event, though, you have to beat the best and I think England are going to win."
KUMAR SANGAKKARA
"The troubles West Indies had just before the tournament brought them very close together and they are motivated to win for the Caribbean but also perhaps to show the West Indies cricket board that they know what they are doing and are focussed on winning. Both teams have explosive hitters so the bowling is going to be the issue - whoever bowls the best, executes in the first six overs, controls the middle, and bowls exceptionally at the death will probably win."
MARK BUTCHER
"I think England have won already just by getting to the final, something I don't think many would have put them in before the tournament. West Indies will sky some chances and their running is not as sharp as other teams, so if England can put in the sort of fielding performance they did against New Zealand and cling on to catches like Joe Root's against Sri Lanka they will be well on their way.
"However, as my old captain Adam Hollioake used to say, whoever hits the most sixes wins. West Indies have hit 32 and England have hit 34 - by far and away the most in the tournament - so there is an even chance."
BOB WILLIS
"England are overjoyed to be in this final and have an even chance of winning it, though there will definitely be some nerves so they will have to show plenty of mettle. They will have to be very careful with the new ball against Chris Gayle and I don't necessarily want to see David Willey trying to swing the ball against him. Those deliveries could end up going in the stands so I would get it up in the blockhole. As for the result? England!
MICHAEL ATHERTON
"West Indies beat England in Mumbai but they played less-good cricket against Afghanistan in Nagpur, albeit when they were already through, and on a holding pitch they are not quite the same side. England haven't yet played on a turning pitch either but deep down they will feel that, in Kolkata, they have a better chance of lifting the trophy against West Indies than if they were playing India."
Will England win the World T20? Find out by watching their match with West Indies from 1.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 2. Before then see if West Indies Women can overcome Australia Women in the Women's World Twenty20 Final, live on Sky Sports 2 on Sunday from 9.30am.