Windies batters need to fire against England

May 03, 2010 Sports

Zimbabwe hunting another upset win against S/Lanka

By Sean Devers

The Guyana-leg of the action in the 2010 ICC 20/20 World Cup continues today at Providence with another double-header including the feature match between host West Indies and England from 13:30hrs.

Another sell-out patrician crowd will demand that the inconsistent West Indies batsmen fire today to seal a place in the next stage of the 12-team tournament in Barbados while Zimbabwe who registered victories against 50-overs champions Australia and defending 20/20 champions Pakistan in their warm-up games, will seek another upset win against Sri Lanka in today’s opening game from 09:30hrs.

Sri Lanka, who lost in last year’s final in England, must win today to qualify for the next round after their loss to New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament on Friday and the Africans could have their work cut out in conditions which should be familiar to both teams.

The West Indians bowled well and fielded with plenty of energy in both of their games in Guyana but their 138-9 against minnows Ireland and their collapse from 86-1 to 117 all out in the warm-up game against New Zealand must have caused plenty of headaches for new batting coach Jimmy Adams.

West Indies’ only loss to England in a 20/20 International was in 2007 at the Oval while the US$20 Million win against England in Antigua in November 2008 playing under the Stanford Superstars banner, proved that once committed, motivated and properly prepared there if enough talent in the West Indies team to rank with any in the world in limited overs cricket.

Skipper Chris Gayle is a very proud individual and after missing Friday evening’s game due to a minor injury, he will be keen to stamp his authority at the top of the order to lead by example.

The Jamaican is one of only three batsmen with a 20/20 International ton and among the most explosive batsmen in this form in the world. If he gets going and local hero Shiv Chanderpaul (who showed his ability to be pugnacious in the game against New Zealand) lends support, the over 15,000 strong crowd that is anticipated should be in for a treat.

In stand-in Skipper Dwayne Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine and Darren Sammy, West Indies have the batsmanship to produce runs on what should be another splendid outfield and a track with help for the slower bowlers.

Kieron Pollard turns 23 during this tournament and while he attracted the biggest pay day in the IPL and is renowned for his mighty sixes in a format that ideally suits his apparent short concentration span at the crease, he has never reached 40 and averages 12.44 in 20/20 Internationals. Pollard must realise that a meaningful innings in West Indies colours is needed to pacify those who consider him an overrated ‘hit and miss’ batsman.

However, his presence in any 20/20 order, even on a large ground like Providence, must be a cause for concern for the opposition and today could be the day that he reproduces his Mumbai Indians and T&T big-hitting for the West Indies.

Denish Ramdin is the best Keeper in the Region but his place could be under scrutiny due to his lack of runs in recent times and he would want to show that the appointment of a batting coach is helping.

With Gayle back, Andre Fletcher could lose his place while left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn should return to replace either Kemar Roach or Nikita Miller although they combined to give away just 30 runs from their 8 overs in the last match.

Pollard’s medium pace or Deonarine’s off-spin was not even required as Ireland were bowled out for 68 and it would not be surprising if England struggle to score in excess of 150 today.

Skipper Paul Collinwood, who has led his country in 19 of his 24 T/20 Internationals, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright, can all score quickly.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Collinwood should provide the faster stuff with off-spin support from Graeme Swann and Pietersen as England, who beat Bangladesh and South Africa in their warm-up games play their opening game in the tournament.

The atmosphere today should again be tremendous as the massive attendance here and the fun and frolic in the stands continue to make Guyana proud as a host.

An improved batting performance from the home team and another win will be the icing on the cake for the Windies fans, many of whom have returned home from the USA, Canada and England to urge their team to a place in the May 16 final in Barbados.

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Windies batters need to fire against England

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