There seems to be a mountain of problems facing West Indies as it prepares for the
T20 World Cup later this year and the 2023 ODI World Cup, hosted by India next year. The ODI World Cup next year will be the 13th edition of the men’s Cricket World Cup. This would be the first time the competition will be held entirely in India. Three previous tournaments were partially hosted there – 1987,1996 and 2011.
Originally, the tournament was scheduled to be played in February
and March 2023, but in July 2020 it was announced
that the tournament would be delayed to October
– November, with reports suggesting that it was
because the qualification schedule was disrupted
due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The top seven
teams plus the host (India) will qualify. The remaining
teams will compete in the 2023 Cricket World Cup
Qualifier, from which the two top teams will join the
eight teams that would have already qualified for
the World Cup.
West Indies seem unlikely now to qualify among the top seven teams, having lost their
last two matches against New Zealand, in the just
concluded ODI series, which ended 2-1 in favour of
New Zealand. West Indies, therefore, seems almost
sure to be playing in the 2023 Cricket World Cup
Qualifier which takes place in Zimbabwe from the
18th of June to the 9th of July next year.
It would be sad to see West Indies, two-times champion,
having to go through a qualification stage to play
in the 2023 World Cup. West Indies won the first
two World Cup tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and
is among only three international teams to win this
tournament on more than one occasion.
But let me first focus on the 2022 T20 World Cup.
This tournament would be played in Australia from
the 16th of October to the 13th of November. Originally, the
tournament was to be held in 2020, however, in July 2020, the
ICC confirmed that the tournament had been postponed, due
to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was later confirmed that Australia
would host the rearranged tournament.
West Indies’ preparation for this tournament has faced some setbacks. A few key players
have not featured in T201s leading up to this tournament due to
injury, or unavailability due to personal reasons or issues related
to fitness. Evin Lewis and Fabian Allen are two key players who
have not played in recent series of matches for the West Indies.
Their absence, particularly Lewis’, has created some headaches
for the selectors. In the absence of Evin Lewis, the selectors
have turned to Kyle Mayers to partner Shamarh Brooks at the
top of the batting order. Brooks is not that gifted as an opening
batsman but has done fairly well, often playing the anchor role
for his team. In the 2022 T20 World Cup tournament, however,
West Indies will need to get off to a flying start if
they are to be competitive against the top teams.
Mayers has shown his superior hard-hitting ability
but needs to be more watchful, particularly at the
start of his innings. He still struggles somewhat as
an opener in T20s, though he seems to perform
that role better as an opening partner to Shai
Hope in ODIs. His superb century in the last ODI
against New Zealand will certainly strengthen the
view that he should be persisted as an opening
batsman in the shorter formats of the game as it
now seems unlikely that Evin Lewis will be part of
the West Indies T20 World Cup squad.
There are a few whispers of the possibility of either or both
Sunil Narine and Andre Russell being part of the
squad, but in my opinion, it is time to move past
these players. Both are now 34 years old and their
inclusion may just be to represent West Indies
one final time.
The call for Head Coach, Phil Simmons to be fired
is continuing, but I do not see that happening, so
close to the T20 World Cup. It however remains
a major issue and his future as Head Coach may
well be decided following the T20 World Cup.
The captaincy of Nicholas Pooran has also come
in for some criticism. There are calls that he be
relieved of the ODI captaincy so that he can focus
more on his batting. Shai Hope or Rovman Powell
have been mentioned as the possible choices
for a new ODI captain. Initially, I had supported
the suggestion to replace Pooran as ODI captain
but since then I have reconsidered. He is young;
he will learn and there are enough experienced
players in the team to help guide and give him
the necessary support he needs to perform his
role more effectively.
It is great to see Shimron Hetmyer back in the T20 tea. He unfortunately
had to withdraw from the ODI squad in the last
series against New Zealand, but he is a talented
batsman and one of our better players of spin
and will certainly be an asset to the West Indies in
both formats of the game. We are yet to see the
very best of him.
One of the main issues I have regarding West
Indies cricket is the perception that all is not well
in the management of West Indies cricket. Deandre Dottin who
shocked the entire region by announcing her retirement from West
Indies cricket cited concerns over team culture and environment.
The continued unavailability of some players which I have already
mentioned raises some serious questions. We, as fans and are left
to wonder. Is there trouble in the camp?
The Sixty tournament has just concluded and the CPL will begin on
Wednesday, August 31st. Approximately 18 CPL matches will be
played before the September 15th deadline for teams to present
their squads to the ICC for the 2022 World Cup Tournament.
The selectors, I am certain, will want to take one final look at the
players in this tournament to finalize the composition of the squad.
It will therefore be very interesting to see who would be selected to
represent the West Indies in the tournament. West Indies are two-time
champions of the tournament, having won the T20 World
Cup in 2012 and 2016. West Indies is ranked no. 7 by the ICC and is
not among one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy.
It would however be unwise to rule the West Indies completely because of
the awesome power-hitting ability of the team. Power-hitting ability
is however not the only thing that matters in a tournament like this.
West Indies has to perform consistently well in all departments;
batting, bowling and fielding. This begs me to ask the question.
ARE WE READY?