COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC):

Seamer Ravi Rampaul is upbeat about today's ICC World Twenty20 final and says West Indies are confident of beating hosts Sri Lanka.

"It's the first final I'm in so it's up there [on my list of important achievements]. It probably will be a nerve-wracking one but I've got to believe in myself and believe in my ability," the Trinidadian said yesterday.

"The guys are confident. We came here to win the tournament and we are just one game away. All the guys are confident, we're sticking together, we're moving as one and the camaraderie and gelling of the team is really good. We have a good chance."

West Indies powered into the final with a convincing 74-run drubbing of Australia in Friday's semi-final.

Rampaul was instrumental in the victory, snaring three for 16 from three overs and four balls, as Australia went under for 131 in response to the Windies' 205 for four.

"I'm very happy with the performance. I didn't have the best start to the T20 tournament and I'm feeling confident now," he said.

"The opening bowlers (spinners Samuel Badree and Marlon Samuels) set it (win) up well. I was put out of my normal duty of opening the bowling with the new ball and I came on in the seventh or eighth over and tried to pick up where they left off by applying pressure and getting early wickets."

Rampaul has proven difficult to handle with the new ball, picking up eight wickets from six matches in the tournament.

And the right-armer believes he will be a key component in the West Indies attack again, as the Caribbean chase their first title since the 2004 Champions Trophy.

"I think I'll have a big role, using the new ball and trying to get into Sri Lanka's middle order as quickly as possible and trying to slow down their scoring at the top," he pointed out.

"Their top order is scoring most of the runs for them. In the power-play, they've been consistently scoring over 40 ... so hopefully the confidence and the form could continue for the final."