ICC World Twenty20: Darren Sammy says West Indies motivated by criticism
Saturday 2 April 2016 13:33, UK
West Indies captain Darren Sammy says his side is driven by a lack of respect from their detractors.
Sammy was in bullish mood on the eve of the World Twenty20 final against England, cracking jokes throughout his press conference - but he also hit back passionately at critics of the team.
The Windies boast some of T20 cricket's most dangerous and experienced players and are ranked No 2 in the world, but were not rated among the favourites in India and had few high-profile advocates.
Broadcaster Mark Nicholas dismissed them as being "short of brains" in a tournament preview, words which have fuelled them on their charge to the final.
"People paint us as money-grabbing cricketers because of our success in T20 cricket but still they don't respect us in this format," Sammy said.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. But whatever they say it doesn't really matter. How could you describe people with 'no brains'. Animals (have) got brains. We're not an object.
"To me that particular comment really set it off for us. To describe our team, who were defending champions two years ago, as guys with no brains is really out of order.
"Gods don't love the ugly. We're very wonderfully, beautifully made and that's why we play exciting cricket."
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Having pitched his team as David versus Goliath ahead of their semi-final against India, he was asked what role they took against England.
"We are always David. David is a winner," he said. "Even now I still think people don't give us a chance. Goliath is big and strong but David defeated him with one shot.
"We will always see ourselves as David. We will play like David, be smart about it, believe in ourselves in the dressing room.
"If we do all these things we know we could do with that belief, we're going to lift the cup."
The West Indies' 'Champion' dance has gained cult status since they arrived at the competition, enthusiastically aired after every victory and even in defeat alongside Afghanistan.
They were also filmed performing their moves in the lobby of the team hotel following their victory over India, and Sammy is already anticipating the merriment that would follow victory on Sunday.
"Just thinking about lifting that cup tomorrow, I can almost foresee what's going to happen after. But we have a game of cricket to play first," he said.
"It's going to be a match-up of skill versus skill and mind power versus mind power, but I know we win the celebration part."
You can watch England take on the West Indies, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 1.30pm on Sunday.
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