2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - West Indies

by user Alex Holowczak

The West Indies are the hosts of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and will look for their first victory since 1979. Having won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, the West Indies have never been as far again having lost surprisingly to India in the 1983 final.

They are drawn in Group D, along with Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe. They should feel confident of advancing to the Super Eight with victories against Ireland and Zimbabwe. The Pakistan match is a different prospect however.

Brian Lara

Type: Batsman, Captain
Lara holds the two most treasured records in first-class cricket. He scored 400 not out as the highest ever Test innings score, and 501 not out for Warwickshire as the highest first-class cricket score. At 37 in probably his last World Cup, he would love to lead the West Indies to victory.

Ian Bradshaw

Type: Bowler
Bradshaw is one of the top bowlers in an otherwise disappointing West Indies pace attack. A lot depends on his bowling if the West Indies are to do well. Throws the bat at the end of an innings.

Dwayne Bravo

Type: All Rounder
Bravo is a youngster that has won the respect of many pundits around the world, and is tipped to be a great future all rounder.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Type: Batsman
With the worst technique of any batsman in the world, Chanderpaul has found a way that works for him. He is a top batsman, and will be vital for the West Indies in the tournament.

Corey Colleymore

Type: Bowler
Another bowler that the West Indies will need to up their game, Colleymore isn’t a World Class player, but a bowler that will give you a solid, if not inspired performance.

Chris Gayle

Type: All Rounder (opener)
Initially an aggressive opening batsman, Gayle has proven he is a capable off-spinner too. He could play a huge role in the upcoming competition.

Kieron Pollard

Type: All Rounder
Picked purely on form this season – his first season of professional cricket – this 19 year old is one for the future, if not for this tournament. He’ll gain a lot of experience from this tournament.

Daren Powell

Type: Bowler
Another bowler that will need to up his game, Powell has yet to show his ability in International cricket.

Denesh Ramdin

Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
The successor to Ridley Jacobs, Ramdin is a capable batsman and confident with the gloves – a great addition to the West Indies side.

Marlon Samuels

Type: All Rounder
Samuels is a batting all rounder, but after an indifferent past on the International stage, he has been mainly picked to bowl a few overs in the middle of the innings.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Type: Batsman
Another World Class batsman, Sarwan is going to be on form with the bat if the West Indies are to perform in this competition. Can bowl some spin too.

Lendl Simmons

Type: Batsman (opener), Wicketkeeper Picked because of being an occasional wicketkeeper, Lendl Simmons follows his uncle into the World Cup. Phil Simmons was a hero when he played for Leicestershire in 1996. Lendl Simmons could be a good backup to Ramdin.

Dwayne Smith

Type: Bowler
Another West Indian bowler that has underperformed, Smith is likely to play due to his better batting lower down the order.

Devon Smith

Type: Batsman (opener)
His best performances have come on home soil, so he may get into the team based on that alone. He has shown good potential, but is yet to take his game to the next level.

Jerome Taylor

Type: Bowler
The next wave of fast bowling talent in the Caribbean is hopefully just around the corner with Jerome Taylor. He is undoubtedly the West Indies best bowler, and a lot depends on his performances in this tournament.

Strengths

• Gayle, Lara, Sarwan and Chanderpaul are World Class batsmen
• Home crowd to support them

Weaknesses

• Lara’s fourth stint as captain – the other three were controversial and disappointing
• No established bowling talent
• No backup to their elite batsmen
• Best players are young with limited experience

Verdict

This squad has a good mix of the old and the new, but there are still a lot of stars and a lot of make up the numbers players. The bowling is particularly weak. The batting is strong though – it will need to be to give the West Indies a chance. They should make the Super Eight, but advancing beyond that seems unlikely. A Semi Final birth would be a huge shock. But on home soil, anything is possible.