England were always going to struggle once the Windies had set them a target of 250. Their chase never took off and four run-outs illustrated the pressure they had been under.

West Indies skipper Denesh Ramdin had a day to remember. Firstly, he called the toss correct and inevitably chose to bat first knowing that teams chasing always face difficulty on the tracks of the Bangabandhu. He then went on to become the top-scorer for his side with 72 from 85 balls as he steadied the nerves after the Windies were struggling in the middle. Man-of the-match Ramdin shared an 87-run stand for the sixth wicket with the pugnacious Zamal Khan (60 not out from 49 balls) as the Caribbeans posted a more than useful 249 for six after being 146 for 5 in the 36th. 88 runs came off the last ten overs.

Anything over 220 is a formidable target in day-night games at the Bangabandhu but even that looked a far cry in the early part of the West Indian innings. Tishan Maraj was run out by his opening partner Xavier Marshall in the very first over and the richly talented Lendl Simmons played 25 balls for just five before being trapped lbw while trying to turn medium pacer Adam Harrison to leg.

Marshall twice survived confident caught-behind appeals on his way to a stroke-filled 45 (62 balls) but fell to the gentle pace of Luke Wright when Mark Lawson ran from extra cover to mid off and dived to take an outstanding catch.

The West Indies were 69 for three and England sensed a collapse. But Assad Fudadin put his head down and promptly reached his third 50 of the World Cup. But Harrison dismissed Fudadin and Jonathan Augustus in consecutive overs and the West Indies were again in trouble. However Ramdin and Zamal counter-attacked with such gusto that England were helpless in stopping the runs from flowing. Ramdin hit seven lusty hits across the ropes before he was caught behind attempting a scoop shot. Zamal however carried on in cavalier style. His knock included a mighty heave over mid-wicket for the only six of the innings and seven boundaries.

Ravi Rampaul and Mervin Matthew shared the new ball for the Windies but hurled down too many loose deliveries in the first five or so overs. But they soon tightened up. Rampaul forced Ravi Bopara to play a pull which he mistimed to mid-on. One change Simmons then got into the act with his bowling. He bowled a nagging line and soon enticed Simon Davies to step out and miss the ball. Wicketkeeper Ramdin was on hand to effect the stumping. 45 for two.

Marshall then stunningly caught Luke Wright for three with a goalkeepers catch at point.

England captain Alastair Cook was fighting a lone battle but he tried to give himself some room and was castled by Rampaul for 33. Tim Bresnan hit a run-a-ball 41, but fell victim to some poor calling and Samit Patel holed out to mid-wicket in the very same Zamal over to leave England on 114 for 6.

The bespectacled Tom New attempted a second run off a fumble and fell short of the crease while; Adam Harrison was run out after James Hildreth had edged through to the keeper,

'Golden arm' Simmons finished it off with a sparkling pick-up-and-throw to run out last man Mark Lawson while being off balance as the West Indies started celebrating.

The final will be on Friday at the Bangabandhu. It will be a day-night encounter.