Preview - West Indies

WEST INDIES

The home team under Lara for the last time would be looking to win their 3rd World Cup. One of the Super Powers 20+ years ago, sadly have been on the decline for the last 10+ years. They have shown some improvement over the last couple of years but are still highly inconsistent. This is my favorite team after India but unfortunately they are highly unpredictable. They can get all out for around 125 as easily as they can score 300+ runs. It highly depends on which WI team comes out to the ground on a given day.

I do believe that this is the best WI team for almost 15+ years but sadly it doesn’t reflect too much confidence into winning the World Cup. I feel the home team advantage will continued to be talked about till they march out of World Cup. WI is highly a momentum team – if they play well then they usually carry the feeling forward into the next games as well.

Going by their strengths it will be prudent for them to chase a target rather than setting one – that’s something WI have been doing consistently in the recent past. However they should make necessary changes if need be, depending on conditions and opposition.

Lara’s captaincy will be important. He is one of the big match players around the world and one can expect vital contributions from him. A rampant Gayle at the top of the order usually sets up games for WI. But a struggling Gayle usually means a struggling WI, unless someone else takes up the mantle. The onus must fall on Lara.

This means Lara must bat up the order, at least at no.4 if he is to make a difference to his side’s chances. Lara at 5 or 6 is not going to help his team. Big players set up the game. Sadly others haven’t been convincing enough to warrant a place above Lara.

A 1-3 loss in India won’t matter now. It’s a new day and a new tournament. My take is that they will be stopped at Super 8 stage…if that happens one would definitely feel for Lara since this is his last World Cup…and also his final One Day Series.

Strengths:
· A great Gayle and a lightning Lara.
· 2 spinners in Gayle and Samuels who can choke runs in the middle overs.
· Slog overs bowling by Bravo.

Weaknesses:
· Highly Unpredictable.
· Bowling. Don’t have a bowler who can run through the opposition.
· Slog overs bowling need to improve. Only Bravo instills a bit of confidence.
· Over dependence on Chris Gayle to give them flying starts.

Key Players:
· Gayle, Lara, Taylor

Dark Horse:
· Sarwan, Bravo

My Take:
· Super 8 Stage

My Team:
Chris Gayle, Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara (c), Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Ramdin (wk), Ian Bradshaw, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor.