By Cosmo Hamilton
Despite the embarrassing three to two loss in the ODI series against Bangladesh recently, the West Indies ended an eventful year on a high note. Thanks to a pivotal innings of 85 in 43 balls by Marlon Samuels which included nine sixes, the West Indies reached 197 for 4, a target that proved just out of the reach of an enterprising Bangladesh team that fell just short at 179 for 1 in their 20 overs, and copped the Sahara T20 International trophy thus maintaining bragging rights as World T20 International champions.
Samuels’ innings was reminiscent of his 78 out of West Indies 132 for 6 in the World T 20 final against hosts Sri Lanka in which he targeted much vaunted pacer Lasith Malinga for five sixes and one four and almost single-handedly steered the Windies from an anemic 32 for 2 after 10 overs to what proved to be a match-winning total.
Throughout the year 2012, whether it has been in Test matches, ODIs, or T20 Internationals, Samuels’ improvisational power-hitting as