1 year ago
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, action!
The ninth staging of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is almost here. This much-awaited sporting spectacle will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America.
Cultural effervescence, passion, patriotism, entertainment, and adrenaline-charged cricket will be on display from June 1 to 29. Turn up the heat this summer and enjoy scorching entertainment on the field of play!
This tournament is special in more ways than one. The marketing of this tournament has been both rigorous and expansive. This has been characterised by trophy tours and fan engagement, with high-profile cricketers and sporting icons playing their part in the marketing campaign dubbed ‘Out of this World’. It is a fitting title for the galaxy of stars who will light up the cricketing stratosphere in this month-long tournament.
Furthermore, this will be the biggest ICC tournament on several fronts. A whopping 20 teams will compete in this marquee event, an increase from 16 teams in the last edition in 2022. A total of 55 matches will be played across nine venues, six in the Caribbean and three in the United States.
There will be a global audience of around one billion viewers. A record-breaking feat indeed! Ticket sales are increasing exponentially and so is the sport’s popularity in North America. This will be a showpiece event of cosmic proportions!
Who are the main title contenders? West Indies could be considered legitimate favourites for this edition. They are the joint most successful team in the history of the tournament, winning titles in 2012 and 2016.
While their last two campaigns have been disappointing, history clearly favours the men in maroon. What about chemistry? Will they be able to execute under pressure and create that synergy that all tournament-winning teams possess?
The selectors have picked a balanced squad with a good mix of youth and experience. Coach Daren Sammy underscored the importance of players understanding their roles and executing them. While the selections of Shamar Joseph and the beleaguered Shimron Hetmyer have triggered mixed reactions, I fully endorse the moves.
The selectors are cognizant of the need to strike early in the powerplay, hence someone with the pace, accuracy, and skill of Shamar Joseph fits the bill. Despite not having played a single T20I, Joseph may very well be our point-of-difference bowler.
While Hetmyer has been short of runs at the international level in recent times, his vast experience is invaluable. His versatility as a finisher and a top-order batter, his proven dexterity against spinners, and his left handedness to maximise favourable match-ups make him a gun player when on song.
Importantly, the squad boasts a conveyer belt of world-class finishers who can start a blitzkrieg before and during the death overs. A batting line-up with serial six-hitters is a nightmare for opposing teams. Will they have a dream run?
Bowling Achilles heel
If West Indies do have an Achilles heel, it would be their bowling attack. They do not have a left-arm pacer in their squad and it is probably difficult to identify a specialist death bowler. Notwithstanding, Akeal Hosein is currently ranked number three in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, which is a testament to his accuracy and skill, especially with the new ball.
Hosein will need to have a good tournament along with the vice-captain, Alzarri Joseph.
All-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder will need to bowl well in order for the Caribbean side to seriously challenge for the title.
Conventional cricketing wisdom will say that India, England, Australia, and South Africa are also frontrunners. The batting pedigree of India makes them strong favourites, too. England possess the batting muscle to challenge any team in the tournament while Australia can never be discounted given their insatiable appetite for winning tournaments.
South Africa also have a balanced squad and will be in the mix as well. Notably, the Associate nations will be looking to topple the big guns, and this will add to the drama in the coming weeks.
Who are the dark horses?
As with any tournament, some light needs to be shed on those unheralded teams. Pakistan is a dangerous team, partly because they are mercurial. They are capable of exploding and imploding with jaw-dropping randomness.
More significantly, most of their players are familiar with the conditions in these parts given that they play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on a yearly basis. New Zealand will always be in the title hunt given their quiet tenacity.
It is our hope that the West Indies will lift their third title on home soil. The superstars will be here for a month, but will the stars align for the West Indies? In the rhythm of the calypso and reggae beats and the chorus of a Caribbean army, let us rally around the West Indies!
Mr Andy A. Spence is a cricket enthusiast who has been following the sport from a very tender age. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language, Communication & Society and a MA in Linguistics, both at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He can be contacted at andy.spence16@yahoo.com
English (US) ·