Windies still have a shot – Harper
Published:Monday | April 13, 2020 | 12:16 AM
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
CHIEF SELECTOR Roger Harper believes the Windies still have “a good shot” at winning this October’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup in Australia, even though their recent form has seen them slump in the international rankings.
The Windies are the lowest ranked of all the major Test-playing nations, at 10th in the rankings, only above the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland and Scotland.
Inside the last two years, the reigning T20 world champions have won just two of nine series and won just eight of 26 matches.
“We have to be realistic here. We are the defending champions, yes, but at the same time we are not the number-one ranked team in the world, so that in itself tells us what has transpired since we won that last World Cup,” Harper said.
“While my memory doesn’t tell me where we ranked [when we won the 2016 event], I’m sure we were ranked much higher.
“That team we put out for that World Cup was filled with a lot of very experienced T20 specialists, and now we have a little blend of a few of the experienced T20 players in there and some of the young guns coming through.”
He added: “But don’t get me wrong, I still think that we have a good shot of winning the tournament, but I don’t think we’ll be going into the tournament as the overwhelming favourites.
“It’s a matter of getting what we think our best squad would be together, picking our best 11 for each game, and looking forward to them performing at their best and making smart decisions, and winning the critical moments of the game.”
LEADERSHIP CHANGE
The Windies underwent a change of leadership last September when seasoned campaigner Kieron Pollard replaced Carlos Brathwaite as captain. That move is yet to reap dividends, however, with Windies winning just one in four series.
Significantly, since the successful 2016 campaign, the Windies have undergone several changes in personnel, with Andre Russell often sidelined with injury, and questions remaining over the fitness of superstar opener Chris Gayle and off-spinner Sunil Narine.
In fact, of the 11 which played in the 2016 final against England, only Lendl Simmons and Russell were featured in the most recent series against Sri Lanka earlier this month.