2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup… Form of Guyanese players, a crucial part of Windies 3rd title hunt

Feb 10, 2026 Sports

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By Clifton Ross

Kaieteur Sports – Fresh off a collective effort which rallied the West Indies to a comprehensive opening win, Guyana’s fringe players will undoubtedly have an integral role in what could end up being a potentially historic T20 World Cup run.

Appearing to be nestled safely on its track, the Windies train seems to be moving in the right direction as they got off to a winning start in pursuit of their third Chip.

Despite a single game against a fairly-experienced although not fully experienced team, the player’s gelling process seems to be blossoming under the right conditions.

However, following a commanding win against Scotland the roles of certain players in the team, especially the Guyanese lads who were among the key match-winners on Saturday; will become increasingly crucial to the overall success of the squad’s direction as well as what could be their final fate in this year’s competition.

Guyanese players have always been an integral part of the West Indies team for a number of decades, with this current young core putting in the work as they look to help rebuild and take the Caribbean side to newer heights.

Despite his mini visa-related setback, leading run-scorer over the past few series, Shimron Hetmyer has been on a tear having regained his form during the Afghan and South Africa encounters which occurred weeks before the Cup was underway.

Hetmyer announced his late arrival to India with a fiery 64 which headlined the innings for his team’s eventual 35-run win.

However, the chemistry and cohesiveness exhibited by the Guyanese crew albeit individually or when working or supporting each other as a unit in the field, will undoubtedly have long-term positive implications for the former 2-time champions; who will need as much teamwork and player camaraderie as they can get.

Another Guyanese, all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who finished with 5 wickets, also had a hat-trick to go along with his solitary six which ended the innings; should also have enough confidence to enter Wednesday’s match against England as a key part of the bowling attack.

Giving up bowling to focus on his batting responsibilities has been paying off for left-hander Sherfane Rutheford. The power-hitter blasted 57* against South Africa upon returning to maroon colors; an ideal pre-World Cup warm-up having lit up the 2026 SA20 as one of the leading run-scorers.

But his quick-fire 26 off 13 (3×4 1×6) against the Scottish could also be the innings in which he sought to settle into the conditions unleashing some pyrotechnics as the tournament deepens.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has had a decent Cup thus far, returning identical figures of 1-29 respectively against Afghanistan in the warm-ups followed by a mirroring exhibition against the Scottish.

One huge plus for Motie is his ability in the field and his more than capable abilities as a lower-order striker.

His pair of ODI half-centuries coupled with his lone Test fifty, could come into play especially if his bowling needs a bit more overs before it is fully rebooted.

West Indies have also been blessed with the services of a fit-again Shamar Joseph, one of their main strike weapons.

The fast-bowler, who grinded his way back to full fitness and essentially the World Cup picture following his recovery from injury, remains one of the team’s X-Factor.

Joseph has been electric in the field, looking especially sharp in the opening game and although his speed has been hovering back around the 140 mark; his returns of 1-26 in the previous outing is due to improve throughout and reach his optimum bowling rhythm; especially with the Asian conditions traditionally testing the skills and smarts of fast-bowlers.

If this current formula continues to brew the way it did this past weekend, Hetmyer, Rutherford, Shepherd, Motie and Joseph could prove to be the pieces needed for a dominant run, especially as they enter the next match as leaders of Group C.

Nevertheless, much will ride on the shoulders of the Guyanese core players, with a long road still left ahead in the World Cup; the local lads can still scope the playing-field and assess their approach with competition itself heating up in this year’s spectacle.

Wednesday’s assignment against the English is expected to be a great test for the Caribbean side, who are gunning title number three while more importantly wanting to settle on a fixed playing XI alongside some of their quality rotational pieces as they chase more cricket history.

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• Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, T20 World Cup, Windies

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