Sarwan sends Windies into semis

Nine-ball 19 earns Sarwan the man-of-the-match as West Indies beat England by five wickets to make last four

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul steered the West Indies into the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 at England's expense as they beat the hosts by five wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis method here on Monday.

West Indies, set a revised target of 80 in nine overs after rain delayed the start of the second innings, finished on 82 for five at the Oval with four balls to spare to triumph in a Super Eights match where the winners knew they were going through to the last four. Sarwan was 19 not out and Chanderpaul 17 not out, their unbroken stand worth 37 after West Indies had been wobbling at 45 for five in the sixth over. But the experienced duo got the target down to 16 off two overs. And that became four off seven balls when left-hander Chanderpaul clipped Stuart Broad off his pads for a boundary. They were left needing three off the last over from Ryan Sidebottom and Sarwan's second ball four saw them home.

Earlier, West Indies captain Chris Gayle square cut James Anderson for four but later in the first over opening partner Andre Fletcher fell for his third straight duck when he skied the bowler to wicket-keeper James Foster. That left the West Indies six for one but in the next over, from left-arm quick Sidebottom, Gayle drove and square cut two superb boundaries.

However, with his fifth ball, Sidebottom bowled the left-hander for 15 and the West Indies were 16 for two. And the very next ball that became 16 for three when Lendl Simmons was out for a golden duck after a cut off Stuart Broad flew straight to Sidebottom at third man. But Kieron Pollard rallied West Indies by driving off-spinner Graeme Swann for six. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was then launched for six first ball over extra-cover by Dwayne Bravo but hit back fourth ball to bowl Pollard.