Cricket World Cup 2019, West Indies preview, likely starting XI: Can West Indies turn optimism into performances?

There is plenty of optimism about West Indies this time around. That hardly would have seemed possible when they were relegated to playing in the World Cup Qualifiers 2018 in Zimbabwe last year, but there have been quite a few encouraging performances and developments thereafter that’s made West Indies a team to look out for.

For starters, they held England – the No. 1 ODI side in the world – to 2-2, matching them blow to blow during the home series earlier this year. That came after a Test series in which they, much to the bemusement of onlookers, secured a 2-1 victory. Chris Gayle has been in fine form, since announcing that the World Cup would be his last ODI outing, and the things g did in the IPL would have sent chills down bowlers’ spines.

But in all the glow of positivity, there are areas of concern for the side. In particular, their bowling. They went with Shannon Gabriel as an enforcer for the middle overs, and presumably, he, Jason Holder and Kemar Roach can keep the pace bowling ticking. But what of the spinners? Ashley Nurse isn’t really a name that provokes the same fears in a batsman as, say, Rashid Khan, and on flat tracks in England and Wales, he’ll have much to do.

All in all, there’s plenty for West Indies to be cheerful about. But there’s also enough reason for them to be a bit cautious.

Key players

Andre Russell: It’s hard to imagine there was a period, about two years back now, that Russell wasn’t playing any international cricket. He was in such sublime touch during the IPL, West Indies can go a long way in the World Cup if he can find similar form. The thing is, they are packed with batsman capable of doing that, and that should be enough for the side to get past their perceived spin bowling weakness.

Chris Gayle: The self-styled Universe Boss will retire from ODIs after the World Cup. Since making that announcement, something sparked in the veteran, and he has been in untouchable form, for the most part. Expect that to continue. He will want to sign out in style, and that will make him even more dangerous than he already is.

Jason Holder: A lot of credit for West Indies’ recent resurgence has to go to their captain. Holder is calm and composed, has the ability to bring out the best in his team-mates, and often leads from the front with both bat and ball. If he can inspire more of the same from the side, they can indeed do some special things this tournament.

Squad: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ashley Nurse, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Oshane Thomas, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis

Likely starting XI: Chris Gayle, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel

Prediction

No. 7 – Theirbatting might get them a few wins, but on the whole, their bowling might see them suffer.