DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Smart use of the conditions here will be key to West Indies’ success in the World Twenty20 Championship, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul believes.
“They key is knowing the conditions, knowing the kind of wickets you’re going to bowl on and the right variations you’re going to execute on the wicket. That will be the main thing in these conditions,” the experienced seamer said here yesterday. “The conditions [here] are basically the same. The dew factor at night maybe a little different to what we are accustomed to but variation of the ball and execution will be key.”
West Indies will launch the defence of their World T20 title when they take on powerhouses India on Sunday. The lead up to their opener has been superb as they convincingly swept both their official warm-up matches against England and Sri Lanka.
However, West Indies have been installed in a tough Group 2 that also features Australia, Pakistan and hosts Bangladesh.
The 29-year-old Rampaul, who has played 22 T20 Internationals, said there was a great mood inside the Windies camp and high belief they could retain the title they won two years ago in Sri Lanka.
“It is a good feeling to always represent West Indies in a World Cup match. This year we’re trying to retain the trophy so preparation and stuff has gone well and the team is gelling well so hopefully we can do it,” he said.
“It would mean the world to the Caribbean. People are looking to us to come here and retain our trophy. We have a good team, we’re strong so once we play together, we’ll win it.”
Rampaul is expected to lead the seam attack which includes the exciting Jamaican left-arm pair of Krishmar Santokie and Sheldon Cottrell.
As the experienced member of the attack, however, he remains clear on his role.
“I was always picking up early wickets with the new ball [in the last T20 World Cup] and the plan remains the same, trying to take early wickets and then coming back at the end and trying to better my performances,” he stressed.