West Indies Cricket World Cup Squad Preview

West Indies would want to replicate what they did way back in 1975 and 1979 and are seeking to win their 3rd title

Champions in 1975, and 1979 and finalists in 1983. Since the loss to India in the 1983 World Cup finals, it seems as if West Indies has fallen off a cliff. Their ODI cricket has just completely been degraded and they even had to play the World Cup qualifiers to play at the World Cup. In a match between the West Indies and Scotland, rain interfered and snuck West Indies into the World Cup. It was a spot that Scotland had deserved but luck was on the West Indies side. With such performances, not many would expect anything from the West Indies,  till the series between West Indies and England was played in the Caribbean. Chris Gayle woke up from his sleep and absolutely slaughtered the English bowlers to all parts of the ground. In those 5 matches, he played the hit 44 sixes setting a new record.  Then the IPL came and Andre Russell came to life. He too was giving the bowlers a bashing of their lifetime and was able to hit sixes at his own will. In the entire tournament, he hit 52 sixes, a new record in the history of the IPL. Others players in the team like captain Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, and Sheldon Cottrell too have stepped up their game. It is an absolutely perfect time for the players to be peaking. 

Their opening pair looks very dangerous with Chris Gayle and Even Lewis. Both take a couple of overs in the start and then start to shread the bowling attack apart. You were to hope that they wouldn’t fire against your favourite team or else we all know what the consequences would be. At number 3, they have a very classy but attacking batsman in Shai Hope. He normally plays the big innings for West Indies but plays it at a strike rate above 100. Then they have Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder to come at number 4, 5 and 6. All tonk the ball to parts of the ground. With Andre Russell and Carlos Braithwaite also included in the lineup, one would say that West Indies have a very attacking lineup. This team on a regular basis will score around 350-360. But, where their real weakness lies in their bowling. 

They have plenty of pace bowling options in Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, and Shannon Gabriel. Cottrell, who is in some good form is likely to play alongside their experienced campaigner Kemar Roach. Their pace attack at times can be threatening but does not pose any serious threat if you are the opposing team batsman. Their pace attack has options but their spin department is extremely weak. With wrist spinners dominating ODI Cricket, West Indies do not even have one wrist spinner at their disposal. They have 2 finger spinners in Ashley Nurse and Fabian Allen. Both are inexperienced and might struggle big time at the World Cup. 

Probable playing xi - 

Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope(wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Carlos Braithwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell.

Interesting facts about the West Indies Cricket team - 

• Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest double century in World Cup history (138 balls).

• West Indies were the undefeated team in 1975, and 1979 World Cup. Their first loss in World Cup history became against India in the finals of the 1983 World Cup Final.

• Chris Gayle holds the record for most sixes in a World Cup innings (16) and most sixes hit in an entire tournament (26).

• Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels hold the record for the highest partnership in World Cup history ( 372 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup).

My prediction - 

• West Indies have a great team and loads of firepower but, what I fear is inconsistency. A couple of matches might go their way and they might even cause great upsets to big teams but I see them finishing Mid-Table.