The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to bowl off on June 1 in Dallas, Texas, with the USA playing against Canada. Unbelievably, that is the opening of a World Cup cricket game. The West Indies play the second match the day after against Papua New Guinea.
Twenty teams will participate in this year’s tournament and will be divided into four groups of five. The top two teams in each group will move to a Super Eight phase, where the teams will be split into two groups of four. The top two in each group will then make their way to the semifinals, followed by the final. Simple and very straightforward without too many complications.
West Indies is in Group C together with Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Uganda, a group that should not present too many problems for the West Indies. No doubt, New Zealand will be the team to beat in the group led by the classy Kane Williamson. They have a talented squad that could challenge any team in the world. They have some gifted all-rounders and match-winning bowlers who, on any given day, can defend whatever total their batsmen score.
Another dangerous opponent in West Indies’ group is Afghanistan and if they play their cards right, they too, can compete with the best the opposition can throw at them. Their skipper Rashid Khan, who has been around since he was a teenager, is only 25 years old and can arguably be considered the best leg-spinner in the game today. Their batting is adventurous and fearless, and they are not afraid to take the attack on the opposition bowlers. Together with Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman will present many problems for the batsmen. The West Indies will have to defeat at least either the Afghans or the Kiwis to advance in the tournament, as I expect them to defeat Uganda and Papa New Guinea with relative ease.
India and Pakistan lock heads in Group A, while England and Australia clash in Group B, but all four should come through unscathed and qualify for the Super Eight. In Group D, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should fight for the two spots in that group; however, in tournaments like these, there is always a fly in the ointment coming to spoil a seemingly effortless party. Though the probability is quite low, don’t be surprised if a smaller nation comes through and qualifies for the Super Eight.
All the squads seem to be at full strength, with Australia causing the biggest stir by surprisingly leaving out Steve Smith, but I would still say they must be one of the early favourites to take the title. I’m happy to see Jofra Archer back in the England squad after a lengthy injury setback, and I hope he stays fit for the benefit of the tournament.
Reviewing the West Indies squad, I would suggest that, by and large, the selectors have done a good job. Most of the players select themselves. Batting-wise, Brandon King is confident and positive at the top of the order; Shai Hope has transformed himself into a good T20 player; Nicholas Pooran, hopefully, we can see the best of him in this World Cup; Rovman Powell can finish an innings well and is showing good leadership qualities; Johnson Charles possibly went to Nepal on trial but has received the nod over Kyle Mayers. I would have gone for Mayers because of his ability with the ball to give the team a couple of overs.
Sherfane Rutherford is still relatively new to international cricket with 12 T20 games to his name, but he has the ability to change the course of a match. On the other hand, Shimron Hetmyer, who we all know has the ability, is so inconsistent that you don’t have a clue as to which Hetmyer will show up on the day.
The all-rounders have more or less picked themselves. Jason Holder needs to show some leadership qualities as a player. He needs to lead from the front with both bat and ball, as well as with his catching. Roston Chase has improved as a T20 player, and if given the opportunity and he does well in the early games, he could play a pivotal role with both his bat and his off-spin. Romario Shepherd is a big hitter with the bat if he gets going, and once he can control his line and length with the ball, he can be a useful asset to the team. Andre Russell has been selected for his experience and what he is capable of achieving at the highest level. It will surely be his last hurrah, so he must be hoping to go out with a multitude of fireworks.
In the bowling department, some are quite capable of pegging back the opposition. Alzarri Joseph, on his day, can be as quick as anybody in the world, but he seems to get upset at times, and when this happens, his bowling is all over the place and he leaks runs. Hopefully, he can manage his emotions. Gudakesh Motie has become not only a good left-arm orthodox spinner but also a good cricketer. His fielding and catching have improved and his line and length are second to none. The other left-arm orthodox spinner is Akeal Hosein, who, like Motie, has good control. It may be a toss-up if the selectors play both left-arm spinners or just go with one, which would make for healthy competition. In addition, it would mean that whoever plays the first game will have to work hard to keep his place.
The final selection which would have surprised many of you is Shamar Joseph. He has been selected for his form in the Australian Test series, but as we are all aware, the T20 format is completely different. It is a gamble the selectors have taken but in my estimation, it is a gamble well worth taking. He bowls fast and accurately, and his enthusiasm alone injects much-needed team spirit into the squad. He should be given the new ball, and he can make an early breakthrough in tandem with Alzarri Joseph and put the opposition under pressure. Time will tell.
In retrospect, West Indies stands a good chance of winning the World Cup, but they will have to be at the top of their game. Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will take some beatings, but in cricket, especially T20 cricket, what matters most is the day.