West Indies' horde of legends head off into the sunset in a blaze of glory

NICK HOWSON: Who knows whether this will be the final time the class of 2012 and 2016 are seen together. But this feels as good a time as any to reflect on the fun

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Sport doesn't really do fairytale exits. After all, this is the greatest unscripted drama available on the planet. There is a reason why streaming services are trying to muscle in and sports films are multiplying. It cannot easily accommodate sentimentality, such are the variables at play.

In many ways, this legendary core of West Indies players, survivors from T20 World Cup wins in 2012 and 2016, were already assured of an underwhelming exit from the competition following a poor group stage campaign. Keeping themselves in the ICC top eight was the extent of their ambitions on the final leg of the farewell tour. And you argue having fun was even above that.

Like every great band, group or team, these last few weeks have felt like one too many for this Windies squad. They've approached the Super 12s like both of their victorious campaigns during the 2010s, either soaking up deliveries or attempting to whack them over the rope and hoping intense quick bowling and the lack of a world-class spinner will be enough.

In T20 cricket's most sophisticated era, they have looked well short of the standard required. It has been a long five years since Kolkata and Ben Stokes. While their heroes have remained, the rest of the sport has moved on. Hip-thrusts, Gangnam Style and 'Remember the Name!' are great memories but they're throwbacks to a different time. They embody exactly what this team is: ultimately outdated.

The batters have lacked discipline and the ability to select their shots. A bowling attack without Sunil Narine and Fabian Allen has taken 14 wickets in five games and most have gone at more than eight-an-over. That is a combination destined to end in failure.

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Dwayne Bravo confirmed his international retirement before play

"All of these guys what they've done for T20 cricket over the years is just amazing," said captain Kieron Pollard before play. "It is unfortunate that we couldn't get that one last run in terms of getting through to the next phase of the tournament. It is emotional for some."

If this is the last occasion the experienced core assemble in Maroon we at the very least got a greatest hits package. Chris Gayle lifted two deliveries over the boundary bowled at a perfectly reasonable length. Pollard played the perfect finisher role with 44 from 31. Andre Russell struck a 111-meter six and Dwayne Bravo mixed things up during his emotional spells.

At the other end of the scale, there was some dodgy running, inadequate fielding and length deliveries that were punished. It was a back-catalogue that has dominated this format, one way and another, for close to a decade.

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Like every long goodbye, inevitably it would end in a degree of anticlimax. Similar to all their batting efforts in this tournament, the performance (157 for 7) was below what was really required. Australia, with an eye on the abacus and events in Sharjah where England play South Africa, knocked them off with aplomb. 

It only seems right to give time to this West Indies team and its outgoing superstars. The immediate future might be painful and it will start with needing to qualify for the Super 12s in a years time. However, those questions can wait.

At the time of writing, Bravo is the only one of the battery confirmed to be taking his bow from international cricket. An allrounder who developed into a death bowling specialist. Having initially wanted to mirror the performances of hero Brian Lara, it is with the ball that he will probably be most fondly remembered. Never one to shirk away from a challenge, on and off the field, his country didn't always respect him like they should.

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Chris Gayle took the plaudits - but will we see him again?

"For me, cricket has always been my childhood dream," he said. "I've always wanted to represent the region and by extension follow in the footsteps of my childhood hero Brian (Lara) so it is good that I was able to have a successful career. I have no regrets, I am happy to leave the game at this point in time."

As for the others, the future is less clear. Chris Gayle wandered off the field to a standing ovation, hugged teammates, signed gloves and had plenty of fun in the outfield. But this felt like any Gayle outing over the last five years. Asked directly before play whether this would be the end, the 42-year-old was typically coy. We don't yet know if T20 cricket's highest run-scorer and six-hitter will follow the leading wicket-taker into retirement.

It also remains to be seen if this is the last we see of Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Russell and Lendl Simmons who are all the wrong side of 30. They'll be regulars in franchise competitions for sure but their international future is far less certain. They leave behind a collection of talented individuals who badly need direction. The next few years in white-ball cricket promise to include a difficult transition.

For now, it's time to remember the dance moves, the pioneers, the smiles and the big hits. This team would take pride of place on T20 cricket's own Bayeux Tapestry.

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