The two-time T20 World Cup Winners West Indies will be having a third title insight as they have announced a quite dominant and experienced squad. The squad is filled with T20 Specialists and freelance cricketers who have the experience of playing all over the world. They have seen and played all the crunch moments and situations. The West Indies Squad is placed in Group A along with two of the most dominant sides in the form of England and Australia. Here’s a look at how the squad shapes up: –
Strengths of the West Indies Cricket Team: –
The biggest strength of the boys from the Caribbean is their fearless attitude towards the game. This helps them to stay calm and focus on the game even in crunch situations. The next strength is their batting firepower. They have batsmen who love to score at a quick rate and players who can turn the game in a matter of 1 over. The presence of Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmeyer in the middle order gives stability to this slam-bang team.
They also have the best pace-bowling all-rounders in the form of Pollard, Bravo, and Dre Russ. Pollard will be the skipper and take the added responsibility of managing this team of superstars.
Weakness of the West Indies Cricket Team: –
The most evident weakness in the Caribbean squad is the presence of a specialist spinner. They do have one spinner in the entire 15 in the form of Fabian Allen but it seems like they are undermining the bowling conditions. However quick the wicket is a spinner gives the added dimension. They had Samuel Badree last year but that is not the case this time around. They need to figure out this problem before the tournament begins. Maybe Chris Gayle can give them 2 overs per game.
Opportunities for the West Indies Cricket Team: –
The biggest opportunity is for the young pacers. Obed McCoy and Oshane Thomas to show the world, what they have in store. The Windies have lacked in pace bowling in the recent past since they do not have the likes of the Big-4. But the comeback of Ravi Rampaul to the circuit gives them the required experience. Apart from that, there is a chance for Roston Chase to cement his place into the national limited-overs sides.
Threats for the West Indies Cricket Team: –
The threat for the Windies is the lack of form of Chris Gayle. Gayle is averaging 17.6 in his last 18 T20s. The team cannot drop a player of the stature of the Universe Boss but his lack of form can see him getting benched. The absence of a truly proven spinner is quite evident. Chase, Walsh, and Allen are good bowlers but their mettle at the international level is hardly gauged. Also, the slam-bang approach doesn’t reap good dividends at times. The team is prone to a collapse at the very beginning of the innings. Including the possibility where the team could be bowled out for a 2 digit score.
West Indies Cricket Team for T20 World Cup: –
Squad: Kieron Pollard (capt), Nicholas Pooran (vice-capt & wk), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher (wk), Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr
Reserves: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Darren Bravo