West Indies squad 2019: The West Indies cricket announced the squad for ICC 2019 World Cup on 24th April 2019, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from late-May to mid-July. The new president of West Indies cricket board, Rickey Skerritt has certainly brought the smiles back on the faces of the people in the Caribbeans with West Indies stalwarts such as Chris Gayle and Andre Russel making the cut for the showpiece event.
But how good is West Indies’ World Cup squad?
West Indies squad boasts of a host of power hitters in their squad. Left-handed batsman Chris Gayle has one of the most notable members in the squad as even players with the likes of Andre Russell and Darren Bravo also make the cut.
CHRIS GAYLE- THE BIGGEST BET FOR WEST INDIES IN THE WORLD CUP
Chris Gayle has lately been firing on all cylinders, given how he played in West Indies in the last series against England. The Southpaw struck two centuries and two half-centuries in as many as four games. West Indies would love to see Gayle coming out with his best in what is going to be his last World Cup. He is certainly the biggest bet for West Indies in the World Cup.
Interestingly, Chris Gayle has also been selected as the Vice-Captain of the West Indies team in the World Cup.
“It is always an honour to represent the West Indies in any format and this World Cup for me is special. As a senior player it is my responsibility to support the captain and everyone else in the team,” Gayle said in an official statement released by Cricket West Indies.
“This will probably be the biggest World Cup, so there will be great expectations and I know we will do very well for the people of the West Indies,” he added.
SWASHBUCKLING ALL-ROUNDERS (4/5):
A team running on immense talent and big-hitting skills, West Indies side isn’t short of stellar all-rounders in the squad.
Led by all-rounder Jason Holder, West Indies squad includes a host of talented all-rounders, namely, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell, and Shannon Gabriel.
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been in phenomenal form in the recent past. The all-rounder has made waves for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The 31-year old crossed 500-run mark in 14 matches. With his belligerent power hitting, Russell singlehandedly took his side home on a number of occasions in the tournament. He scored at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 204.81.
Ever since Jason Holder was given the opportunity to lead West Indies side, Holder has become the pillar of West Indies side. Holder has been captaining the West Indies cricket team in all three formats- be it Test, ODI or T-20 cricket.
PROMISING TOP ORDER (3.5/5):
The West Indies squad includes as many as nine players who will be making their first World Cup appearance, with most of them forming the top and middle order of West Indies batting line up.
Shimron Hetmyer has been the most talked-about player in the squad, given the class, he possesses with the bat. Hetmyer has scored 899 runs in 25 ODIs at an average of 40.9 so far and has shown the word that the 22-year old cricketer is here to stay.
Left-handed batsman Darren Bravo will also be one of the key players in the West Indies line up who will have the responsibility to hold the innings together along with wicket-keeper Shai Hope. Both Hope and Dravo have scored significantly in the last series against England and would love to replicate their performance in the World Cup as well.
FAST BOWLERS EQUIPPED WITH PACE AND SWING (3.5/5):
Be it their batting or fast bowling, West Indies are looking quite a balanced side, with their squad equipped in all the departments. As many as three fast bowlers with the likes of Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, and Oshane Thomas will travel along with the team in the flight to England.
Having played just 11 ODIs, Sheldon Cottrell has impressed the world not only with his Salute celebration but also with his skilful bowling. Being a left-arm pacer, Cottrell adds variety in the bowling armoury and also has the knack of picking wickets. The West Indies pace department certainly has all its basics covered.
NOT SO GOOD SPIN BOWLERS (2.5/5):
With Sunil Narine not available due to injury, West Indies have included two spinners in their squad, namely, Ashley Nurse and Fabien Allen. Both of them will make their World Cup debut, with the latter having played just four ODI so far in his career. The spin department is perhaps the weakest link in the West Indies squad which could be a cause of worry for them in the World Cup.
West Indies squad 2019: Jason Holder (c), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Fabien Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Ashley Nurse
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