Underestimate West Indies at your peril: Ian Bishop
Ian Bishop was amongst the last of the great line of fast bowlers to emerge from the Caribbean. Making his debut in March 1989, the Trindadian, tall, brutally quick, and generating lovely out-swing with the new ball, went on to compile an impressive Test record. In 43 games he grabbed 161 wickets at 24.27 and with a strike rate 52.2. Following a career curtailed by back injuries, the incisive fast bowler grew into an incisive commentator. Sharp and thoughtful, you are unlikely to listen to his insights over any prolonged period and not come away with a greater appreciation of the nuances of the game.
And so with West Indies cricket not in the best of health, whose brain would be better for Cricbuzz to pick than the fast bowling great?
"How do you think the West Indies will do in the T20 World Cup? Which teams are the strongest contenders and which do you think have the best chance of winning?"
The West Indies enter the tournament ranked #2 in the world. That is a very good indicator as to how well they've performed in this format over time. However, I find it difficult to accurately predict the West Indies fortunes for this WT20 2016 with all the challenges of the last few months, culminating in the withdrawal of a few key players.
Three or four months ago I was highly expectant that the West Indies would be a strong probability to contend for the title. Now, I am not filled with the same confidence.