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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 21, 2018
First ODI against India
Underdogs Windies tackle India with one eye on World Cup GUWAHATI, India (CMC) – All odds appeared stacked against West Indies as they look to redeem themselves from a wretched outing in the just-concluded Tests, when they face powerhouse India in the opening OneDay International of the five-match series here today. The Caribbean side meekly lost both Tests inside three days by comprehensive margins but will hope the change in formats also brings a transformation in fortunes, though they have been given little hope against the World number two side especially with a relatively inexperienced unit. In fact, West Indies are missing key players like openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis both of whom made themselves unavailable, and there also has been no recall for left-hander Darren Bravo, though he has been named for the three Twenty20 Internationals which follow. It means Windies boast four debutants – all-rounder Fabian Allen, batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj and fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Obed McCoy – in their 15-man unit and another three players with just 19 ODIs in all. Further, experienced seamer Kemar Roach has played only five matches in the last three years, following a spell away from international cricket. Captain Jason Holder acknowledged the deficit in experience but noted it was a process
of building towards next year’s World Cup in England. “It’s a young side, a lot of unfamiliar faces. I just think it is an opportunity for those unfamiliar faces to get an opportunity to showcase what they’ve got,” Holder told reporters ahead of the contest. “It won’t be easy. Obviously India are playing some very good cricket at the moment. They are probably one of the best one-day sides (and they have) some world class players as well so we expect a really tough challenge from them but as I said before, it’s all about building towards the World Cup. “We’ve got some youngsters here whom we just want to see and hopefully they can express themselves and make us proud.” He continued: “You see young people, like Fabian Allen who has come into this team or McCoy … he’s done really well for us in domestic cricket, so we’ve got good talent here. This is the future for West Indies cricket. “Obviously for anyone coming into international cricket, there’s a bit of nerves and pressure trying to solidify oneself into the side. Hopefully, those guys can put that aside and channel the nervous energy in the right direction.” West Indies are ranked ninth in ODIs, just two ratings points above Afghanistan, and their recent ODI record tells the story why. Last
West Indies ODI captain Jason Holder
year alone, they won just three of 23 matches in bilateral series and have not won a series in four years, since beating Bangladesh in the Caribbean. In their only bilateral series this year, they went down 2-1 to the Bangladeshis at home. Their recent record against India also makes for dire reading. They have not beaten their hosts in a series 12 years and have not won a series on the subcontinent in nearly two decades. But Holder said with the World Cup fast
approaching, it was important that his players made the most of every opportunity available. “We’ve had a pretty long year. We started with the World Cup qualifiers, moving down to the one-dayers in Bangladesh (later this year). This has been our third encounter in terms of ODI cricket for the year,” the all-rounder pointed out. “There are still lots of cricket leading up to that World Cup. Hopefully our players can utilise these games as best as possible and hopefully get some performances in behind them going into the World Cup to give them lots of confidence.” The day/night match bowls off at 13:30hrs (04:00hrs Eastern Caribbean time). SQUADS: INDIA – Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yujvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Obed McCoy, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Oshane Thomas.
Calypso support and history add to flavour of ICC Women’s World T20 2018 THE Windies have grown as a team and it seems only apt that the Caribbean is hosting the first standalone ICC Women’s World T20 from November 9-24. After a golden 2016, when Caribbean cricket teams won three ICC world titles, the West Indies will host their second ICC Women’s World T20 this November. And unlike the first time, when the event featured both men’s and women’s teams, this time the ICC Women’s World T20 will make history as a standalone women’s event. When the baton passed to the region two years ago, they could not have asked for a better start. The Windies women had created history when they won the 2016 event in India, becoming only the fourth team since 1973 to win a global title. They returned home to a rousing welcome, including a motorcade in Barbados, alongside members of the victorious men’s side. But in 2016, the Windies were the underdogs. Now they must deal with the pressure that comes with being defending champions playing at home. While they had a difficult campaign in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, their side remain formidable in the
T20 format. Captain Stafanie Taylor has established her credentials, and has consistently been in the top layer of the the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings among batters and all-rounders. Hayley Matthews, who won Player-of-the-Match in the 2016 final aged only 18, is also among the leading all-rounders. And with Deandra Dottin, Merissa Aguilleira and Anisa Mohammed (the only bowler with more than 100 T20I wickets), there is plenty of experience in the ranks to complement upcoming talents like Natasha McLean. The West Indies will also draw from history; the last time they played the ICC Women’s World T20 at home, they enjoyed both individual and team success. Dottin lit the tournament up with a century off 38 balls against South Africa, still the fastest T20I century in women’s cricket. The Windies also qualified for their maiden semifinals, knocking out the defending champions England on the way. The 2010 edition saw plenty of drama from other teams as well, with a group match between England and
West Indies are the defending ICC Women’s World T20 champions. Australia ending in a tied Super Over, and decided by a countback of sixes. The tournament culminated in a thrilling final between trans-Tasman rivals, favourites New Zealand and Australia. Australia prevailed on the last ball in a low-scoring thriller. It triggered an ascent for the Southern Stars; they went on to take two more consec-
utive WT20 titles. Even for the Windies, the 2010 WT20 marked an upswing. It was the beginning of a period where the team played high quality cricket consistently, redefining the world’s top four. They made at least the semis of the next four ICC events, reaching the final of the 2013 Women’s World Cup, where they lost to Aus-
tralia. Their peak came in 2016 with the WT20 win in India, this time getting the better of the Australians. With the home team being defending champions, supportive crowds are expected for the tournament. The Windies will play at both group stage venues, starting their campaign against Bangladesh at Guyana National Stadium.
They will then shift to St Lucia for the remainder of their games. Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of the people of the Caribbean and a carnival atmosphere at the venues is expected. Keep an eye out especially for the steel bands that often add to the atmosphere at the grounds. The Windies are of course the only international team to comprise multiple countries, each adding their own particular flavour and culture to the squad. It is a matter of great pride for the people there to don the maroon cap and be a part of a rich cricketing legacy, which includes a period where the men’s team dominated the world in the 1970s. The Windies Women are one of the fastest improving sides in recent years, and have already embellished that legacy. Their win in 2016 showcased the global expansion of women’s cricket beyond the usual bastions of England, Australia and New Zealand. World cricket is richer when teams from the West Indies do well, and the Caribbean people will have high hopes from Taylor’s squad to put on an impressive show.