Why Samuel Badree Will Be the Star of the Show in the World T20 Final

The results at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, have offered up something of a mixed bag during the course of the World Twenty20. Scores have ranged from mammoth to modest, but one thing that has remained constant is the slower bowlers—be that medium-pace bowlers or spinners—have had the most success here.

But that doesn't mean you have to be a big turner of the ball to be effective. Samuel Badree has proved as much and boasts some impressive figures in this tournament. He's taken seven wickets in five matches with an average of 15.42 and economy rate of 5.68.

That the West Indies and England have met in this tournament already will help a bit, and even if Badree did not pick up a single wicket against England when the two sides played each other in the group stages, he did play a vital role truncating the flow of runs early on. In that match, he conceded just 34 runs in his four overs.

As a leg-spinner, variety is his main weapon, and he bowls tightly with just enough pace and bounce to keep the batsmen guessing.

What is perhaps even more remarkable about the 35-year-old's exploits is that he has hardly played in the Indian Premier League. He's bowled just 18 overs in the tournament in total, but that has not had an impact on how he approaches the game.

Saurabh Das/Associated Press

Prior to this tournament, he had not played for the West Indies since 2014, but that has hardly mattered.

Far more important is that he understands his role as an opening bowler. He is considered one of the most successful bowlers in the powerplay and said after the West Indies' victory over Sri Lanka that adapting is key.

He was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo's Nagraj Gollapudi as saying: "We have seen in the first couple of games that I have started then I am held back for a couple in the middle as well. We have seen how important spin is especially after the Powerplay during the middle overs when the ball is a little bit older."

Aijaz Rahi/Associated Press

In that match, he took three for 12, and although that wasn't enough to earn him a man-of-the-match award, those gongs aren't always an indication of how well a player has performed.

He has stepped up to fill the void left by Sunil Narine's absence, and he has done so without much fuss. His subdued approach is the perfect balance in a West Indies side that has plenty of big personalities.

Against an aggressive England batting lineup, limiting the destruction in the first few overs will be key, and that is something Badree has done consistently throughout the tournament. As part of a bowling partnership—where one bowler keeps things tight, allowing the other to pounce and get wickets—Badree has been unmatched in the World T20.

Sure, other players might play a more flamboyant knock with boundaries galore, but the value of a player that is confident and skilled in his craft should not be underestimated.