Captain: Leading the charge for the West Indies is Rovman Powell.
Upcoming Matches: Keep an eye out for the West Indies as they face Papua New Guinea on June 2, Uganda on June 9, New Zealand on June 13, and Afghanistan on June 18.
Previous Victories: The West Indies have clinched the T20 World Cup title twice, in 2012 and 2016.
The West Indies’ journey to cricket supremacy in the 1970s was fueled by their formidable pace quartet. However, their quest for T20 World Cup glory, which they are co-hosting with the United States, may rely on the performance of their trio of spinners.
For decades, the Caribbean showcased a lineup of lightning-fast bowlers who instilled fear in their adversaries. From legends like Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Malcolm Marshall to modern greats like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, the region boasted an impressive array of bowling talent.
The decline of cricket in the Caribbean over the past two decades has been a cause for sorrow, particularly due to the absence of the thrilling spectacle of towering cricketers hurling the ball with sheer pace and aggression.
While Test and ODI dominance has waned in recent years, Twenty20 cricket has emerged as a source of hope for West Indies supporters. The upcoming tournament presents an opportunity for the team to secure a historic third World Cup victory in the format, with spinners expected to play a crucial role, as noted by former West Indies selector and England batsman, Roland Butcher.
“West Indies possess the talent to emerge victorious,” Butcher expressed to Al Jazeera. “Their spin bowling department, featuring Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, and Roston Chase, will be pivotal.”
Moving up the ranks! 🆙️
The West Indies team has climbed to the 4th position in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings.👏🏿 #WIREADY #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GaIFZWUd1l
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 30, 2024
India and Pakistan to capitalize on US venues
The group stage matches of the tournament will be spread across three venues in the US – New York, Dallas, and Florida – in addition to the Caribbean.
The later stages of the competition will shift to the Caribbean, where the West Indies team will have home advantage. This, according to Butcher, could play a significant role in their performance…
Original article available at www.aljazeera.com
