The West Indies and England will put everything they got on the line today as they share the spotlight at the Eden Garden's in Kolkata, India looking to bring glory to their respective countries. The Caribbean side will be seeking to lift the trophy which is a mark of cricketing respect in the work just as they did four years ago in 2012.
Darren Sammy's men left the Caribbean on the back of a money dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and today they have put all that behind them and will be fighting for the Islands of the Caribbean, as the world looks on.
The men in maroon are confident of success after their amazing semi-final win over the favourites and hosts India at Mumbai. West Indies left to chase 193 runs got there for the loss of three wickets with Lendl Simmons smashing an unbeaten 82, Johnson Charles 52 and Andre Russell 40 not out.
Speaking on the clash, Sammy said: "We're always David. He is a winner. Look, even know, I still don't think people give us a chance," he said ahead of the final. "I said–Goliath was big and strong but David defeated him with a sling and one shot.
"We always see ourselves as David and we will play like David, be smart about it, believe in ourselves in the dressing room and in each other, and like I've said before, if we do all these things with that belief in ourselves, we're going to lift the cup."
"I think the way we've played in Test cricket really filters down to the other two formats," he acknowledged. "Our Tests results, to be fair, haven't really been good. It hurts all of us to see a side that once dominated for 17 consecutive years...for lack of proper management and structure and development, we've struggled for over two decades and two decades ago, the guys who played they would not play and people paint us as money-grabbing cricketers because of our success in T20 cricket.
"Yet still they don't respect us in that format and we get that sometimes from our own board. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. You guys come here and ask the most difficult questions to get a good story, we understand that. The key for us is the belief in our inner circle. Whatever they say, it don't really matter."
England goes into the match wary of the West Indies and what they can produce in this format of the game. Top scorer for them at the tournament Joe Root who has notched 195 runs said: "We know how strong West Indies are as a side and we are going to have to play well to beat them, as we have had to play well to beat everyone thus far."
Root is looking forward to playing at the Mecca of Indian cricket: "We can't wait to take centre stage at India's most venerated venue. You dream of these opportunities as a kid to play a World Cup final. Every time over the past couple days when I look around at the lads in the dressing room they are smiling so I think everyone is excited and can't wait to get out there on Sunday. India is a fantastic country and I am sure there will be plenty of support at this wonderful ground."
TEAMS
West Indies: Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Jerome Taylor.
England: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Butler, Mooen Ali, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan, Adil Rasheed, Reece Topley, James Vince and David Willey.