West Indies middle order batsmen must perform in all categories of the game. Too many low scores have been coming from the West Indies as a result of the middle order collapses. Good starts are great for the team but the continuation in that respect must prevail in order for the team to make useful scores. It is vital that all-rounders selected for the upcoming World Cup schedule for Australia and New Zealand, starting next month, perform very well in order for the West Indies to be successful.
West Indies World Cup Squad
Jason Holder (captain), Marlon Samuel, Sulieman Benn, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith and Jerome Taylor. Big all round performances must come from Andre Russell, Dwayne Smith and Darren Sammy. Jonathan Cater, the left-handed batsman from Barbados will be having his first World Cup experience. Sunil Narine and Darren Bravo are returning to the squad. Jonathan Carter should also be included in the Tests and that would boost his confidence. The West Indies cricket team has not been performing well in the One-Day Internationals and that is because there has not been a proper plan in place.
West Indies must stop playing ODI like T20
Fifty overs of cricket is quite different to that of the 20-over format of the game, therefore, it is necessary to apply a different technique in the One-Day Internationals in order to be successful. West Indies cricketers must bat the 50 overs before being bowled out.
Australia seems very strong for World Cup
Team Australia undoubtedly has the strongest batting line up for the upcoming World Cup. Their batting stretches a long way down with seven established all-rounders in their squad.
South Africa’s bowlers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir will be a handful for the opposition. The conditions in Australia will fit in to the South Africans net. Their middle order batting is not so strong but their bowlers have the qualities to win any World Cup.
India’s chances are good!
Spinners Akshar Patel and Ravindra Tadega should play pivotal roles for their team in the upcoming World Cup. Restricting scoring will be key and both Patel and Jadeja have a task ahead. Their batting is dominant with Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Suresh Raina seems to have problems with genuine pace because he failed to score in both innings of the fourth Test match. He remains a brilliant fielder and a very useful slow bowler.
