Before the T20 World Cup 2009 started, the West Indies were enduring a miserable tour of England. They lost the Test series, they lost the West Indies One-dayers and more importantly lost some face as their captain Chris Gayle made some uncharitable remarks against Test cricket.

Gayle batted for the cause of Twenty20, emphasizing how it was the face of the game's future. Now, the big-hitting Jamaican has an opportunity to show how strong his romance with T20 exactly is, when his side takes on an in-form Sri Lanka in the second semifinal at the Oval on Friday.

But Gayle's men played their own brand of attacking and attractive cricket. They have devoured Australia, India and England on their way to the semifinals.

The Oval, in fact, is working out to be a lucky ground for the West Indies. They beat Australia and England at this venue. Gayle will also be looking to avenge the loss the Windies suffered at the hands of the Lankans in the group stage at Nottingham.