How West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite dealt with England’s Ben Stokes in the last over of the 2016 World T20 final is something that will go down as the defining moment of the tournament, and now the English all-rounder has opened up about the 20th over that could have damaged a lesser player’s career irreversibly.
Stokes talked about the thoughts that were going through his head as he saw his deliveries being blasted out of the stadium, four sixes off consecutive balls that yanked the World T20 trophy out of England’s grasp. He spoke about how he felt as if nothing anybody could say was going to make him feel any better, till a gesture from his conqueror, Carlos Brathwaite himself, made him feel better.
He also spoke about the messages of support that he received after the defeat in the final, making special mention of a message in solidarity sent to him by Australian legend Shane Warne.
Stokes vs Brathwaite
Stokes had been one of the best death overs bowlers in the WT20 before the fateful over, and had a luxury of 18 runs to defend. Danger man Marlon Samuels was at the non-striker's end and facing him would be the relatively unknown Brathwaite. Everybody would have tipped the Englishman favourites to come out on top.
After the second six, which brought the equation down to 7 required off 4 deliveries, Samuels began to run around, preparing for a victory lap. Stokes still believed he could do it, but a wrong adrenalin-induced signal from his brain to his arm made him bowl a full-length delivery again, and the third six convinced him the game was up.
After the fourth six, he slumped to the ground as the Windies players rushed into the field to celebrate. Umpire Dharmasena tucked in his cap into his hands, while Stokes remained looking on the ground, refusing to look up or even acknowledge anybody around him. England players milled around, offering their consolations.
Stokes said, “It took me so long to get back on my feet. I didn’t want to get back up. It was like the whole world had come down on me.”
Gesture from Brathwaite, message from Warne
Stokes admitted to feeling devastated while West Indies celebrated their triumph. However, he also mentioned an encounter with the burly Brathwaite that lifted his mood after the match. After the presentation ceremony, the two players ran into each other and the West Indies youngster asked for Stokes’ shirt.
“We did not have a beer with them (the West Indies players) afterwards but Brathwaite came up to me and asked for a shirt,” Stokes said. “He is a brilliant lad. I wanted to make sure I spoke to them and say well done because I did not want people to think I was bitter.”
The English all-rounder also cited a message from Warne, saying that he took heart from all the encouragement being provided. Stokes said that Warne had been encouraging him to not let the one over affect him too much. The message went, “It is hurting at the moment. Head high. Use tonight’s match as motivation on every level so you don’t feel like this again.”
The 27-year-old Brathwaite and the 24-year-old Stokes are both ‘brilliant lads’ with bright futures in international cricket. It is expected that the two of them will have many more similar duels in the future.
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