Pressure or no pressure? Wealth of opportunity these thing the home conditions or no sufficient advantage as such? These are just some of the questions that currently ride the mind of the die hard West Indies cricket supporter as their much loved team is about to enter the ground.
That West Indies happen to be the only international men’s side besides England to have won the T20 World Cup on two occasions is special, but known to all.
But whether they can repeat their stellar success that occurred in 2016, nearly eight years after that memorable Kolkata night is yet to be seen. It’s something that rests in the lap of the future.
However, what doesn’t quite rest in the future and is very visible at the moment are some key narratives that concern the famous co-hosts of the current World Cup.
Let us deep dive into key talking points that concern themselves with everyone’s much loved Windies side as they open their campaign on June 2:
Perfect Opening Pair
The West Indies are renowned for their bold and aggressive approach to cricket. The T20 format suits them particularly well, where they can go on the attack from the very start. Players like Johnson Charles, who can disrupt the opposing bowling attack with his explosive hitting, paired with more classical batters like Shai Hope who can anchor the innings, make the West Indies’ opening combination an ideal blend of power and solidity.
Dangerous Middle order with some class
The middle order of the West Indies team features T20 specialists like Nicholas Pooran, who can be exceptionally explosive on his day and turn the match around through a display of both power and textbook batting style. In addition to Pooran, they have captain Rovman Powell, who can hit the ball a long way and has the ability to pounce on any loose deliveries with his muscular batting approach.
Depth in the batting
The West Indies have a strong batting lineup for the World Cup, with the return of T20 veteran Andre Russell and the inclusion of promising talent Shimron Heytmyer, who has been given another chance to prove himself. This depth in West Indies batting will help the team overcome any potential collapses at the top of the order, as both Russell and Hetmyer possess the ability to hit powerful shots with ease, allowing them to revive the innings and post or chase down large totals.
Bowlers are no mug with the bat
The current cricket team from the Caribbean has a refreshing aspect – the ability of their bowlers to contribute with the bat. In the past, the lower order was often fragile, unable to stay at the crease and provide support to the set batsmen. However, in this team, players like Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph have demonstrated that they can bat competently and even hit some big shots when required.
Batting could cover up less penetrative Bowling
The West Indies batsmen need to focus on being consistent, as having a strong batting line-up is crucial. If the batsmen can perform well together, the team will be able to post large totals, providing a safety net for the young bowlers who may feel anxious in high-pressure situations.
Similarly, if the bowlers struggle and the team has to chase a big target, the batting line-up will need to step up and deliver.
Mixing Caution With Aggression
Striking a balance between prudence and assertiveness is crucial for this highly volatile and aggressive West Indies batting line-up. Even though it’s the shortest format of the game, the fundamentals remain the same. Batters must bide their time in the middle to weather the difficult periods or counter the bowlers who trouble them. Patience is the key here for the West Indies, and scrambling for quick runs will help them alleviate the pressure when boundaries are hard to come by.
