Sheldon Cottrell and Chadwick Walton led a rampant West Indies Champions side into the final of the World Championship of Legends with a commanding five-wicket thrashing of Australia in the semifinal here on Friday.
Cottrell delivered a sensational spell of fast bowling as Australia posted a competitive total of 172 for seven in 20 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Australia owed their total to Joe Burns, who scored a brisk 86 off 52 balls with eight fours and two sixes, while Jonathan Wells chipped in with 49 off 33 balls.
The two shared a partnership of 110 runs for the fourth wicket to rescue Australia after Cottrell ran through the top order to leave them tottering on 38 for four.
Cottrell finished with 4-20 from his four overs and Carlos Brathwaite took 2-29.
Faced with a tricky run chase, West Indies lost openers Lendl Simmons and Jermaine Blackwood to find themselves 45 for two after seven overs.
However, Walton slammed an unbeaten 87 off 42 balls, inclusive of 10 sixes and two fours to lead his side to 173 for five in 19 overs.
Together with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored 41 from 27 balls, the pair put on 96 runs for the third wicket to carry them to a relatively comfortable position of 141 for three.
Australia kept themselves in the contest by dismissing Carlos Brathwaite and Raymon Reifer for the addition of just one run, but Dwayne Bravo joined Walton at the crease to see the Windies to victory.
They will face England Champions in Sunday’s final after they defeated South Africa Champions by 47 runs in the first semifinal. (CMC)