Team West Indies – The Dark Horses...

The West Indian squad for the world cup is as follows –

Brian Lara (captain)

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Chris Gayle

Dwayne Smith

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Dwayne Bravo

Marlon Samuels

Ian Bradshaw

Corey Collymore

Jerome Taylor

Denesh Ramdin

Devon Smith

Lendl Simmons

Daren Powell

Kieron Pollard

Until the Indian side visited them last summer, the West Indies were the perpetual underdogs in the one day format. In spite of the legendary exploits of the 70s and 80s, the 90s saw them reaching unimaginable depths. There was the occasional glitter in the form of a World Cup semifinal (96), Champions’ Trophy final (98) and Champions Trophy Victory (04)… but for a team that were at the receiving end of all one-day clashes with any of the major team and were placed ahead of only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in World Rankings, the end looked near in sight… But that was only till the famous Greg Chappell statement and the back lash thereafter. Ably led by a resurgent Lara, they have gone on strength to strength from there-on, reaching the finals of the champions’ trophy once again. They have also managed to defeat almost all teams at least once in the recent past. The greatest advantage they would have however is playing everybody else at home…

Let’s analyze the individual disciplines -

Batting –

The only surprise in the batting order is the exclusion of Runako Morton, who featured in a few of the wins last season. Otherwise it is the same team the West Indies have had for quite some time now with the additional inclusion of all-rounders like Simmons and Pollard. The top of the order is among the mightiest in world cricket with both Gayle and Chanderpaul capable of murdering any opposition. The middle order is in the able hands of Lara, Sarwan and amazingly-in-form Samuels. Simmons and Smith are capable of playing in any spot. The all-round skills of Smith and Bravo are more than handy. Ramdin as the wicket keeper batsman is quite talented, but is in awful form lately.

Bowling –

Except for Taylor, nobody in this squad has express pace. But in the West Indian pitches, what is needed more is the ‘accuracy’, which almost all the other bowlers possess. Bradshaw and Collymore were easily among the best West Indian bowlers last season and they could well carry their form through the tournament. Powell, Bravo and Smith make up the rest of the bowling attack. Dave Mohammed misses out as the selectors have decided to rely on the spinning abilities of Samuels and the ever-so-deceitful Gayle. Sarwan and Pollard too can bowl if required.

Keeping –

Ramdin is the chosen wicketkeeper. Baugh misses out in spite of Ramdin’s poor form, both in front and behind the stumps.

Fielding –

West Indians are not an exceptional fielding side. They can be described as safe at best. The catching is generally good and except for occasional blips the ground fielding too is ok. Bravo along with a 37 year old gentleman called Lara are among the best fielders in the team and the opposition would certainly keep an eye at all balls moving towards them.

My First Playing Eleven –

Gayle

Chanderpaul

Dwayne Bravo

Sarwan

Lara

Samuels

Dwayne Smith

Ramdin

Ian Bradshaw

JeromeTaylor

Colleymore

The chosen eleven is pretty amazing on paper. 5 genuine medium pacers, 2 of whom are pretty useful with the bat… 2 spinning options in Samuels and Gayle, with both of them pretty capable of breaking partnerships… a batting order that bats pretty well till eight… a powerful opening combination… and a solid middle order…

It’s been a good 28 years, since Clive Lyold held the trophy aloft and this West Indian squad might just have the firepower to scrape through – only this time they have the additional burden of breaking the jinx that has always affected the host nation…