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• Hot shots: Five players to watch in West Indies’ pursuit of T20 glory

  With the 2012 and 2016 titles already to their credit, West Indies will no doubt be intent on adding this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown to their accolades, but achieving that feat will require efficient all-round execution from the off.

  Like the 19 other participating teams in the historic June 1-29 showpiece, the Darren Sammy-coached 15-man squad –to be led by Jamaican Rovman Powell –is lined with its own fair share of talent and explosive batting, enough to prove a formidable force, as they seek to make amends for their disappointing campaign two years ago.

  Still, among the blend of experience and youthful exuberance, it is no secret that a few players will be heavily relied on, more than others, to carry the weight of the Caribbean side’s chances to possibly finish tops in a tournament they co-host with United States.

  That said, SportsMax.TV zones in on five key players –in no particular order –that cricket enthusiasts worldwide will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on where their performances are concerned, eager to witness the West Indies’ quest for another T20 World Cup title.

  

  Rovman Powell –Middle order batsman and captain

  Took over leadership of the T20 team from Nicholas Pooran after the failed 2022 outing in Australia. Since his appointment last year, Powell has emerged as a crucial figure in the West Indies T20 setup, both as a powerful middle-order batsman and a strategic leader. He led the regional side to three bilateral series victories over South Africa, India and England, before a loss to Australia earlier this year.

  Besides the fact that Powell’s leadership skills have been instrumental in shaping a cohesive unit, his ability to turn games around with his aggressive batting style makes him a player to watch.

  The hard-hitting Jamaican has so far scored more than 1,300 runs at a strike rate of 144.81 in 61 international innings and nearly 4,000 overs in all T20 matches, with 16 fifty-plus scores to his name. Powell’s penchant for big hits and sixes can also be evidenced by his boundary numbers, which feature more maximums than fours across all T20s.

  Powell’s overall experience in domestic and international T20 leagues certainly adds a layer of tactical acumen to his game, and his knack for hitting sixes under pressure and guiding the team through challenging situations will be vital to West Indies' campaign.

  

  Nicholas Pooran –Wicketkeeper/batsman

  Fresh off impressive performances in the IPL 2024 in India, where he ended with 499 runs at a strike rate of 178.21, including an unbeaten 48 off 26 balls, 61 off 27 balls, and a 29-ball 75, Pooran will definitely be a significant factor to West Indies chances, especially if he maintains that rich vein of form.

  Known for his explosive hitting and agile keeping skills, Pooran’s performances in T20 leagues worldwide have cemented his reputation as a formidable player, and it is his ability to accelerate the scoring rate and play innovative shots that makes him a key asset in the middle order. In fact, many would love to see him in the top order batting at number three, but let’s see what Sammy and Powell decides.

  That aside, the Trinidadian’s experience and understanding of the T20 format will be crucial in navigating the high-pressure scenarios typical of World Cup matches. He boasts over 300 T20 matches, including 88 internationals, in which he has tallied 1,848 runs at a strike rate of 134.69, with 11 half-centuries to complement those figures. Overall, Pooran has amassed over 7,000 T20 runs with 39 half-centuries and two centuries to show.

  Simply put, Pooran’s expansive limited-overs experience is poised to be useful for West Indies. His presence behind the stumps also adds value, as his sharp reflexes and quick decision-making are critical in the shorter format, but whether or not he will wear the glove is left to be seen, as Shai Hope and Johnson Charles can also cover that task, provided all three are fielded in the same starting 11.

  

  Roston Chase –All-rounder

  Say what you want about Roston Chase’s batting tempo, he brings balance to the West Indies team with his all-round capabilities. A reliable batsman and a crafty off-spinner, Chase provides depth in both departments. Never mind the fact that he has only played 13 T20Is and scored 210 runs at a strike rate of 125.00, or the fact that he lacks the explosive boundary hitting power of others, it is his calm demeanor and ability to anchor the innings that makes him a stabilizing force in the middle order.

  The Barbadian even proved that much in the recent 3-0 sweep of South Africa at Sabina Park, as he ended unbeaten on 32 and 67 in the first two encounters, and also took a wicket in both games. With the ball, Chase’s variations and control can stymie the opposition’s scoring rate, especially in the middle overs.

  All in all, Chase’s versatility allows the team to adapt to different match situations, and the fact that he is no doubt intent on silencing his doubters with big performances, makes him an indispensable part of the squad.

  

  Andre Russell –All-rounder

  One of the most feared all-rounders in T20 cricket, Russell, a two-time T20 World Cup winner for the West Indies, packs incredible power-hitting and athletic prowess that can change the course of a game single-handedly. The explosive Jamaican has experience in nearly 500 T20 matches with over 8,000 runs to his credit at a strike rate of 169.80. He also has close to 450 wickets at a remarkable bowling average of 25.32.

  Russell’s ability to clear the boundary with ease and finish innings on a high note is unparalleled, a quality he again demonstrated when he assisted KKR to the title in the just-concluded IPL. For the 2024 campaign, he tallied 222 runs, at a strike rate of 185.00, and took 19 wickets.

  With his fast bowling and sharp fielding adding to his value as a complete T20 package, coupled with his ability to consistently perform under pressure, Russell is certainly one of West Indies’ best bets to excel in the tournament.

  

  Shamar Joseph –Fast Bowler

  Burst onto the international scene with his sensational performances against Australia in the Test series earlier this year, and that spurred much talk about his immense potential to prove effective in the game’s shortest version. However, he got a tough introduction to the IPL in April when he leaked 47 runs in Lucknow Super Giant’s contest against KKR.

  Still, Joseph’s selection in West Indies final squad prior to making his T20I debut, underscores Sammy’s confidence in his ability, and the Guyanese could very well reward that confidence, once he finds his footing in the format.

  Joseph’s debut in the 3-0 series sweep against South Africa recently, yielded three wickets for 67 runs, with a best of 2-26 in the final encounter. While that might not seem like much to write home about, there is no denying that Joseph is a raw talent, and his ability to bowl with pace and precision certainly makes him a potent threat.

  Furthermore, there is a sense of anticipation that Joseph, if given the opportunity, might produce something special at the tournament as he has proven that he can rise to the occasion when it matters most and, as such, will be keen to leave his mark on the international stage once more.

  West Indies will open their campaign against Papua New Guinea in Guyana on Sunday.

  Full squad: Rovman Powell (Captain), Alzarri Joseph (Vice Captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

• “All 20 teams are good teams”: Powell expecting challenging group stage but insists Windies ready for anything that comes their way

  West Indies captain Rovman Powell expects a challenging group stage in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup but insists his team is ready for anything thrown at them.

  The two-time champions will do battle with rapidly improving Afghanistan, perennial title-challengers New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Uganda in Group C. The top two teams in the group will advance to the Super Eights.

  They will open their account in the World Cup against Papua New Guinea at Providence in Guyana on Sunday.

  “All 20 teams in the World Cup are good teams. I think we have a group that will give us some challenge. It’s T20 cricket and on a day, that is when it’s played, regardless of how strong your squad is,” Powell told the media at a training session at the UWI SPEC in St. Augustine on Wednesday.

   “I think we have a strong enough squad to fight off any battles that these teams give us,” Powell added.

  West Indies will round off their preparation for the tournament a final warm-up game on Thursday against likely title-challengers Australia, at the Queen’s Park Oval.

  The outing will give Powell and the players who missed the recent three-match series against South Africa because of commitments in the Indian Premier League, the chance to get some time in the middle before their opening game.

  The West Indians produced some excellent cricket in that series to come out 3-0 winners and Powell says it’s important to keep that momentum going.

  “It’s important that we keep on winning. Winning builds a very good morale in the team, so that is always very good,” he said.

  One important player that the hosts will be without for the World Cup is all rounder Jason Holder who picked up an injury and has been replaced in the squad by left-arm quick Obed McCoy.

  “Obed is a suitable replacement. It’s a good four overs that he comes with; four overs with a lot of variation and he also comes with the left-handed factor. It’s important for him to just come on and be himself,” Powell said.

  The skipper also commented on the selection of fast bowler Shamar Joseph for his first World Cup.

  “When we were selecting the team, there were other fast bowlers in the Caribbean that we could have selected but he comes with a little bit of X-Factor, a little bit of cutting edge,” Powell said.

  “He’s faster than the other fast bowlers around the region. He’s a little bit fitter than the other fast bowlers around the region, so we think it’s an opportunity now for us to give him a go in a World Cup like this. With his exploits in Test cricket, he should be going into it pretty confident,” he added.

• 'Still England's best bowler' – Australia's Lyon stunned by Anderson retirement

  James Anderson retiring from Test cricket shocked Nathan Lyon as the Australian spinner believes England's veteran would still be their best bowler.

  England great Anderson will call time to his storied red-ball career when Brendon McCullum's side host West Indies at Lord's, starting on July 10.

  The Lancashire bowler leaves the international scene as England's all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 700 dismissals in 187 appearances.

  His wicket-taking heroics are the most by any pace bowler in Test history, and Anderson's decision came as welcome news to Ashes rival Lyon.

  "Obviously, Jimmy Anderson is in the conversation of being the greatest fast bowler of all time," Lyon told BBC Radio 5 Live.

  "Good luck to Jimmy and I look forward to playing with him at Lancashire, but I'm glad he won't be coming out to the next Ashes."

  Anderson's hand appeared somewhat forced as England started planning for the future, setting their sights on The Ashes in Australia across late 2025 and into 2026.

  By the time that Ashes series arrives, Anderson will be 43.

  Owing to Anderson's age, England coach McCullum, managing director Rob Key and captain Ben Stokes, want to test the likes of Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson as pace-bowling options.

  With Stuart Broad already announcing his retirement after his last outing against Australia, Lyon could not believe England's decision to let Anderson go.

  "My care factor for England is pretty low, but I was pretty surprised when I did read that they tapped him on the shoulder," added Lyon.

  "I look at James and what he's been able to do for England cricket, it's pretty remarkable.

  "This is just my opinion – I still think he would be England's best bowler."