Brathwaite describes 'out-of-body' World T20 final

"I knew at the beginning of the over what I wanted to do - stay focused and watch every ball on its merit. To think of it, not until the third six I didn't show any emotion, I was just focused," said Brathwaite.

Published : Apr 06, 2016 21:57 IST

West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite's (right) four consecutive sixes won the World Twenty20 for his team.
West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite's (right) four consecutive sixes won the World Twenty20 for his team.
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West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite's (right) four consecutive sixes won the World Twenty20 for his team.

Carlos Brathwaite has described his run of four consecutive sixes to fire West Indies to the World Twenty20 title as "an out-of-body experience".

Brathwaite produced a stunning finish as he made light work of Ben Stokes' bowling, clinching a four-wicket victory over England and an historic second title for the Windies.

"The only thoughts I can remember now are just like an out-of-body experience," the 27-year-old told BBC World Service.

"I knew at the beginning of the over what I wanted to do - stay focused and watch every ball on its merit. To think of it, not until the third six I didn't show any emotion, I was just focused.

"Thankfully it came on the right side for the West Indies but it was an out-of-body experience and massive credit must go to Marlon [Samuels] for bringing it down the way he brought it down."

Samuels' unbeaten knock of 85 off 66 deliveries was a record for a World T20 final, surpassing his own previous marker and making a huge dent in the 156-run target.

And Brathwaite hailed Samuels' character in bouncing back from recent criticism of his form.

"All the stick he's been getting throughout Australia, subsequently against Sri Lanka. He didn't have a good tour. We went to Australia, he didn't have a good tour there either, and persons were calling for him to be dropped," he added.

"It takes a lot of character to come back and represent the West Indies in the way he did.

"And never forget it was also another important knock he played against England in the very first game, and then to come back and do it again in the final.

"Now he is the person with the two highest individual scores in World T20 finals and that says a lot. It just shows it wasn't a fluke the first time around.

"First time around we were 30-odd for four, he stood up and made 70-odd.

"Came around this time again - chasing the score this time which is even tougher mentally - and then to keep it together the way he did , not only his emotions but the way he kept the innings together, he was the glue.

"Yes, I might take most of the accolades and most of the plaudits because of the way I finished and I guess that's something that doesn't happen every day, but credit must go to Marlon. It was an absolutely astounding knock. Hats off to him."

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