Orville Higgins | Still cautiously optimistic

I have been cautiously optimistic about the West Indies' chances of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup since the news became obvious that we would suffer the ignominy of having to play-off with the minnows for a top-two spot.

I kept telling myself that yes, I know our cricket had slipped badly, and yes, we were missing several established players for one reason or another. Despite those reasons, I still feel we should be good enough to qualify from a group of 10 associate nations.

My confidence took a dent when we lost a warm-up game to Afghanistan. This isn't war! In my own warped way of thinking, I think we should be able to beat Afghanistan even if we picked the first eleven men off the street. Our batsmen seemed to have forgotten how to bat. I warned myself for the 307th time that I should never allow my emotional attachment to West Indies cricket to make me so distraught when we lose a game that I think we should have won. It was with a great sense of trepidation that I have followed our two victories so far, and inevitably, I am starting to hope again.

That first game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was encouraging, well, the batting was. Chris Gayle played, well ... like Chris Gayle! He showed that there is still some ability left in him, and that on his day, he can still embarrass bowlers. Shimron Hetmyer's innings pleased me no end. He is unquestionably a diamond in the rough. This young man has oodles of talent, but so often, can be a little erratic when a calmer, more measured approach would serve him in better stead. I saw him in the latter stages of the Super 50 in Antigua, and he appeared to be learning gradually. He has all the shots, and, therefore, doesn't need to chase the bowling. If he bats "normally", he will score quickly enough.

Now that he has ticked off his first ODI hundred, I'm hoping others will come in quick succession. Yes, the bowling of the UAE isn't what you would call world-class, but when you have the type of talent that Hetmyer has, quite often the bigger issue is to conquer your mind rather than the opposing bowlers. He is a smart kid, and if he applies his mind properly, then look out, world!

I was disappointed with Marlon Samuels in that first game. When he came in, the West Indies were going well - 189 for two in the 28th or 29th over. He prefers to take his time over his start, and I have discussed this ad nauseam with others before. That approach can backfire when he gets out. Under those circumstances, 15 from 34 balls was too pedestrian. He came out blazing in the next game against Papua New Guinea, 24 from 21, before he got out. He is a potential match winner and just needs to find the right balance between attack and defence, especially at the start of his innings.

NO EXPRESS PACE

Then we bowled out Papua New Guinea in our second game. I thought they got a few too many. Our bowling lacks the x-factor. There is no express pace, no genuine swinger of the ball, no mystery spinner. What we have is an attack that is decent. Yes, both Holder and Brathwaite got five-wicket hauls in successive games, but you know that this is more an aberration than what is likely to be the norm.

Our batsmen, therefore will have to be prepared to play really special knocks to get us through. I am proud of the way Jason Holder and Shai Hope saw us through in that second game. At 58 for four, chasing 200, I stopped following. I drew up my sheets and said I would check the results tomorrow. That lasted for all of five minutes! I got up and started following again and watched how the Barbadian pair steadied the ship before Holder blasted at the end.

Shai Hope and Holder have already established that they can bat in high-pressure situations, and this was manifested in no uncertain way. Only Papua New Guinea, you say? Well in many ways, losing to a minnow like that carries greater social implications and, therefore, possibly, greater pressure. Losing to them would be catastrophic.

In a way, the partnership was one of the most important in recent West Indies history. For the two to bat as responsibly as they did was admirable. So yes, I am believing my team can pull through. I expect hiccups along the way, and I may have to lock off my TV or laptop on a few more occasions (temporarily), but as former United States president Barack Obama wrote, I am prepared to have the audacity of hope.