Windies’ road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Mon, Jul 23, '18
Windies have just sixteen (16) ODIs remaining before heading off to the ICC Cricket World Cup to be hosted by England and Wales in 2019. The first games of the sixteen will be in the form of a three-match series versus Bangladesh commencing July 22, 2018 in Guyana. Similarly to at the beginning of the just concluded Test series between the two teams, Bangladesh are ranked higher in the ICC ODI Rankings. Here in lies another opportunity for Windies to continue improvement on all fronts; contesting a team seemingly stronger than they are.
Windies must however attempt to align team goals for the matches leading up to the Cricket World Cup with strategies for the tournament itself. All aspects of the Caribbean team’s ODI game must be manoeuvred in preparation for their expectations in England and Wales. Windies having to qualify for the 2019 tournament through the 2018 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier could yet prove to be beneficial; having given the team a taste of the competitive tournament atmosphere. Even though,
Windies lost the final to Afghanistan; much was accomplished. The Qualifier gave the selectors insight into suitable players and strategies. It was also through the Qualifier that many began to see Jason Holder’s leadership come to the fore in the One Day format of the game.
In recent times, ODIs have evolved to a point where totals over 300 runs are now the norm. Cricket West Indies, after appointing Jason Holder as captain, has gone passed (when batting first) and successfully chased over 300 runs just once. The team has never won an ODI series with the current captain. Therefore, there is a lot of work to be done before the Cricket World Cup; among other things, Windies should look to develop their death bowling skills. Most importantly though, Holder believes in his charges. Windies’ road to the ICC Cricket World 2019 starts at the Providence Stadium in Guyana with the team: Jason Holder (cpt), Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Andre Russell, Keemo Paul, Devendra Bishoo, Ashley Nurse, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Jason Mohammed. Rally!