May 12, 2010 -- West Indies failed in their bid to reach the final four of the ICC World T20 Tournament when they suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the final Super Eight match at Beausejour in St Lucia on Tuesday night.

Playing before a colourful and supportive crowd in a must-win match, the Windies batsmen failed to come to grips with the Aussies bowlers and were bowled out for just 105 in 19 overs. Australia replied with 109-4 off 16.2 overs.

Following Sunday’s brilliant performance against India at Kensington Oval, the Windies were expected to give the Aussies a tough fight but it was not to be.

Captain Chris Gayle was dismissed in the first over and only Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (26) showed any enterprise in a second-wicket stand of 34. Rookie leg-spinner Steven Smith was the best bowler with 3-20 and he won the Man-of-the-Match
award.
The West Indies needed to win the match to advance and afterward captain Chris Gayle said his players worked really hard and were committed in their preparations, but were too inconsistent during the last two weeks.

“We have worked really hard and hopefully in the series coming up we can give you something to smile about," Gayle said to the supportive Windies fans. "We worked really hard. We wanted it badly. The commitment is always there, even today in the outfield with the players diving around. We were too inconsistent in our performances. Some days were very good and today were just did not play well,” Gayle said.
The West Indies now turn their attention to the Digicel Series against South Africa which starts with the first T20 International next Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium in Antigua. The semi-finals will be played at Beausejour with England facing Sri Lanka on Thursday and Australia meeting Pakistan.