The West Indies cricket team is eager to claim their third T20 World Cup title next month, co-hosting the tournament with the United States. This quest for glory follows the disappointment of not qualifying for last year’s 50-over World Cup.
The golden era of West Indian cricket, marked by their victories in the first two editions of the 50-over World Cup, seems a distant memory. Their failure to qualify for the recent World Cup in India was a historic first for the team.
Seeking redemption, the West Indies are now under the guidance of Daren Sammy, a coach who has twice led them to T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016. Sammy, who took over as limited-overs coach in May last year after Phil Simmons resigned following a poor performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, is determined to restore the team’s former glory. He emphasizes the importance of bowlers stepping up and leveraging home advantage.
“Bowlers have been under the pump,” Sammy told Reuters from Saint Lucia during a T20 World Cup trophy tour. “It’s not just the young bowlers; every single international bowler has been under pressure. The IPL shows that even 200 runs is not a safe total, highlighting the dominance of batsmen in T20 cricket. The key will be having X-factor bowlers, whether in pace or mystery spin, to defend totals or restrict opponents.”
Despite not being the powerhouse they once were, the West Indies have promising talents like 24-year-old pace sensation Shamar Joseph. Joseph, who shone in his debut test series against Australia, is set to make his T20 international debut in the World Cup, having been selected for the 15-member squad.
The batting lineup, historically strong, will rely on experienced players such as Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Shimron Hetmyer. Desmond Haynes, the director of West Indies Cricket, emphasized the importance of defined roles within the team when announcing the squad. He praised Joseph’s performance in Australia, noting that he met all expectations.
West Indies will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Papua New Guinea in Guyana on June 2. Their Group C also includes New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Uganda.
