I can go right through the team, everybody has contributed at some stage. I think belief has been a huge thing. You can see that from the way the guys have gone out from the first ball, believing in themselves and taking it to the opposition and playing a brand of cricket that is unlike England in the past. We will savour this for a couple of days, but good teams kick on. The scary thing is that this team has so much potential.
Craig Kieswetter continued his fairytale start to his international career with a man-of-the-match performance to help England claim their first global one-day trophy.
The 22-year-old, who only made his international debut a few months ago after completing his qualification period, hammered 63 from 49 balls to help England secure a seven wickets victory over Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 final in Barbados.
Kieswetter’s performance, which included seven fours and two sixes, helped England cruise past Australia’s under-par total of 147 for six with three overs to spare to spark victory celebrations at the Kensington Oval.
He shared a match-winning stand of 111 off 68 balls with Kevin Pietersen, who was later named player of the tournament, and by the time he fell victory was all but assured with England needing just 27 runs to win their first ever World Cup.
The platform for England’s victory was built on an outstanding bowling and fielding display, which initially reduced Australia to eight for three and then 95 for five, only for David and Mike Hussey to guide their side to a competitive total.
England also suffered a shaky start with Michael Lumb falling in the second over, only for Kieswetter to team up with Pietersen to guide their side to within sight of their memorable triumph.
“This is a very special moment,” admitted captain Paul Collingwood. “We turned it on for the big occasion. Not having a World Cup was a monkey on our back and nobody can ever take away what we have achieved.
“I can go right through the team, everybody has contributed at some stage. I think belief has been a huge thing. You can see that from the way the guys have gone out from the first ball, believing in themselves and taking it to the opposition and playing a brand of cricket that is unlike England in the past. We will savour this for a couple of days, but good teams kick on. The scary thing is that this team has so much potential.”