CARDIFF, Wales, CMC – West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo says neither Kieron Pollard nor the umpires are to be blamed for the way his team was eliminated from the Champions Trophy in Cardiff on Friday.
Their Group B clash against South Africa finished in a tie under the Duckworth-Lewis method after Pollard was dismissed from the last ball before rain stopped play with 29 deliveries remaining.
Umpires Steve Davis and Rod Tucker took the players from the field as the rain intensified and both teams received a point from the tie allowing the South Africans to advance on a better net run-rate.
“Obviously we are disappointed and I must say I am disappointed with how the game ended, but I am not disappointed with what the umpires did,” said Bravo.
“They had a job to do and they do it to the best of their abilities, and as players we have no control over the decisions they make”.
If Pollard had kept his wicket intact, after scoring a 23-ball 28, West Indies would have been the winners and advanced along with India from Group B.
But he was dismissed by Ryan McLaren just before the rain intervened, dashing West Indies hopes of earning a semifinal berth. “Why should we blame him? His innings along with Marlon Samuels allowed us to get where we were at that point of time,” Bravo told reporters.
“Kieron did his part. Unfortunately he got out. The game was still in our hands. Sammy was to bat, Myself was to bat. Narine was to bat. It was a great run chase”.
Bravo felt his side could have been given an extra ball to win their Champions Trophy match against South Africa.
“I think it would have been fair for both teams, the fans and tournament if that extra ball had been bowled or something like that,” said the West indies captain.
“But you have to give credit to both teams, South Africa batted very well and I was pleased with how my guys went in the run chase”.
