It’s no exaggeration to say that the West Indies are up for this tournament. After hosting the disastrous 2007 World Cup, the Caribbean is hosting its second world tournament and will be hoping to up the reggae (excuse the stereotype) and rev up a win. The stereotype they won’t want to live up to is traditional Caribbean hospitality–in such a brief, comprehensive tournament generosity can’t be afforded–though the West Indies have always played their game with a pleasant if slightly intimidating grin.
It’s quite possible, you know, for the hosts to make it a memorable tournament, despite the astonishing mismanagement in the WICB and the inconsistency of the regional side. Cool cat Chris Gayle is a bolting hitter–his assaults almost single-handedly walloped West Indies into the semis last year–and is one of the world’s most feared hitters, as well as being a well-liked if laidback captain and a useful spinner. For flamboyant all-round flair there’s Dwayne Bravo, the energy monkey of the side, who almost single-handedly flattened India in a thrilling performance last summer. Bravo is a livewire in the field, and his batting oozes flair while his bowling, wrought with slower balls, is penetrating if occasionally expensive.
Darren Sammy and hulking Kieron Pollard are two medium-pacers who can hit a long way, and if Andre Fletcher gets a go he will hope for more consistency than a bristling but stop-start career. The experienced duo of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are technically consolidators, but can lash out as well as they showed in a knockout clash against England last year. And if consolidatory batting is your thing, Narsingh Deonarine and Wavell Hinds are up for grabs.
Denesh Ramdin is pristine behind the stumps and useful in front of them; hulking Sulieman Benn and diminutive Nikita Miller are useful left-arm tweakers who can belt the ball as well. The pace attack consists of the rejuvenated Jerome Taylor, the bustling Ravi Rampaul and the raw Kemar Roach.
On paper it’s a squad filled to the brim with talent, yet mismanagement and skidding nerves often leave the side depending on a handful of core players. On this golden opportunity on home ground, West Indies face a tricky and difficult task, but will want to add the hard yards to their naturally dashing style of play.
Group: D, v England and Ireland
Watch out for: Chris Gayle’s laidback demeanour belies a smouldering determination to bring out the best in his side. He hasn’t quite succeeded, but this is a format perfectly suited to his annihilatory top-order fireworks–few contemporary batsmen clout sixes with such disdain–and a team obviously fond of him will want to live up to their home crowds’ expectations.
Also watch out for: Nobody likes a festering crowd, but the turnouts for the much-maligned 2007 World Cup were downright flat and almost lifeless. It is hoped that the tournament organizers have learned from the brickbats thrown at them since, and will encourage a turnout that properly reflects the colour and enthusiasm of Caribbean cricket.
