It is time for the mega event of 2024 to take place. The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to kick off on June 1, with a total of 20 teams participating in the tournament. This tournament will be played in the USA and West Indies. The Caribbean team that were knocked out in the first round of the last edition have a great chance to make up for it this time around, as they will be playing it at home.
Not to forget, West Indies are the first team to win the T20 World Cup twice. They did it in 2012 and 2016, respectively, under the captaincy of Darren Sammy. That man will be the coach of the team and will look to take this team to its third title. West Indies will play their first game on June 2 against PNG in Guyana. They are in Group C with New Zealand, Uganda, PNG, and Afghanistan. So let’s do the SWOT analysis of West Indies for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie.
West Indies’ Strength for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
1. Best Powerhitting Unit
West Indies have always produced some of the biggest power hitters in the game, who have dominated the game. That is why West Indian cricketers have a huge demand in the leagues across the world. Even the current squad has some blistering batters. Rovman Powell, who is himself a great striker of the ball, will lead the team. Apart from him, players like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, and Sherfane Rutherford come with the ability to hit sixes off will. That is what can make a difference because these batters can change the course of the game with 10–15 balls on any kind of surface.
2. Plenty of All-round cricketers
West Indies have given some good all-rounders to this format, which has always been their strength. The current squad has a number of players who are equally effective with the bat and the ball. The likes of Andre Russell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, and Akeal Hosein can contribute in both departments, which is a luxury for any captain to have in this format. This gives the team great batting depth and many options while bowling.
West Indies’ Weaknesses for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
1. Average Pace Attack
West Indies are equipped with some of the best strikers of the cricket ball. But one thing is also true: they have the bowlers who are leaked runs even more. Especially, their pace attack has been one of the weakest in the tournament. Alzarri Joseph will lead the pace attack that has Obed McCoy, Shamar Joseph, and Romario Shepherd. Then, they have the all-rounders in the line. Thus, any team can fancy their chances when they are chasing against this kind of pace attack.
2. Not many wicket-taking spin options
The pitches to be offered during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 are going to be slow, and spinners will have a big role to play. The team that has a good spin attack might have an edge. That is where West Indies might be left behind because they don’t have the threatening spinners whom we can consider the wicket-takers. They have two specialist spinners, Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein, who don’t turn the ball much. That is where they won’t be able to contain batter, which can create a big difference in crunch matches during the competition.
Threat for West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
The biggest worry for West Indies is their bowling attack. They don’t have the bowlers to back it up. They suffered a big blow when their most experienced bowler, Jason Holder, suffered an injury and was ruled out. That has not left them with many choices. Their bowling will be a big headache going forward in the tournament. Adding to that, some of their batters aren’t good against spinners and try to slog or block that will be tested as the conditions are likely to be spin-friendly.
Opportunities ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Cricket in West Indies is declining, but a big event in home conditions can certainly boost the confidence of the fans. But for that, West Indies need to do well in this tournament. They are a very tough team at home, and they are coming off a great home season. They have the team to beat a big side on their day, and now it’s just about executing the plans. If they can do well in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, we might see a new era of West Indian cricket.
Strongest Playing XI for West Indies in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 (Predicted)
Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Andre Russell, Rovman Powell (c), Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy