ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 23: WI vs BAN – Windies Predicted Playing XI

Windies stunned Pakistan with a barrage of bouncers in their opening encounter of the World Cup 2019. The side registered a massive win in that game to really start things off positively. But they seem to have got a bit too predictable with this ploy now. The bowlers did well against Australia but failed to hang on in the critical junctures of the games. By the time they faced England, the opposition was well aware of the plan and there didn’t seem to be any troubles whatsoever.

Hence, the Caribbean side was handed an 8-wicket loss and after four games, they have just one win under their belt. Windies have overdone the short ball strategy and should come up with different plans now. Also, their batsmen have let them down on two consecutive occasions now and must look to bat all the 50 overs without losing many wickets in the first place when they face Bangladesh in their next game.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Windies:

Openers (Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis)

Chris Gayle tried to play cautious cricket in the last game against England. He did set himself up for a big knock and scored 36 runs. But he was set-up with the short ball in that game and he fancied himself to clear the longest boundary on the ground. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do so and got out. Gayle should realise that he is one of the most important batsmen for his team and shouldn’t take as many chances.

Evin Lewis has been going through a lean patch in the tournament. He is getting out quite early in his innings and isn’t applying himself. It has been rather easy to get Lewis out and he is falling straight into the opposition’s plans. Thus, he should be very careful early in the innings when the ball is moving. The left-hander should try to leave as many deliveries as possible and fend only those bowled at the stumps at least initially before unleashing his game.

Middle Order (Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer)

When Shai Hope is consuming so many deliveries as he’s been doing in this tournament, he should also look to stick around through a majority of the 50 overs. Windies might have some of the biggest hitters down the order but this kind of approach won’t really help them. He is the best 50-overs batsman in this team and must look to deliver big.

Nicholas Pooran played a good knock in the previous game. He scored 63 runs and applied himself really well. However, it is important for him to maintain consistency in the upcoming games as well. Shimron Hetmyer, although not really convincingly, got 39 runs in the last match. He should look to emphasise on strike rotation more often rather than hitting every ball out.

All-Rounders (Jason Holder (C), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite)

Jason Holder will possibly continue to bat ahead of Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite. While he wasn’t so effective against England, he usually adds great solidity to the middle order. He rotates the strike well and can is a great asset to have with the ball. Andre Russell, though, should try changing his batting approach slightly.

This is 50-over cricket and there are usually plenty of deliveries remaining in the innings when he comes out to bat. He should be more realistic about his approach and should not swing at everything. The same goes for Carlos Brathwaite who shouldn’t get too frustrated after a series of dot balls. Both these players have been doing a good job with the ball.

Bowlers (Oshane Thomas, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell)

With the way the England batsmen played in the last game, there wasn’t much Windies pace troika could do. Though, Sheldon Cottrell did try his level best and picked up two wickets against the run of play. There wasn’t too much of assistance for these fast bowlers in Southampton.

But in Taunton, the conditions are likely to be more favourable. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Windies even rope Kemar Roach in instead of Evin Lewis. Oshane Thomas will look to hurry the Bangladesh batsmen with pace and bounce.