Competition for places in West Indies T20 side, particularly the World Cup squad, got more interesting following the conclusion of this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
A few players, in my estimation, have emerged while a few have revived their short format careers who would have otherwise missed out on selection for the postponed ICC T20 World Cup, which was scheduled to be held during October in Australia.
At the top of the list is Darren Bravo who reignited interest in his T20 international career following an eye-catching CPL where he tallied 297 runs which included three fifties.
Bravo averaged nearly 60 – the highest of the tournament – in tough batting conditions but he has not been in the West Indies T20 side for more than a year and was usually overlooked in the top order for Brandon King and Shai Hope.
All-rounder Kyle Mayers, who had a few enterprising innings – a 59-ball 85 against Tallawahs and 42 against the eventual champs – is one of the players the selectors will surely have their eyes on moving forward.
He may have just leapfrogged Carlos Braithwaite, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford in the pecking order as backup all-rounders moving forward unless the latter is able to rediscover his sting in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
Kevin Sinclair, in a format where the economy rate is a prized treasure, seems tailor-made for the T20 format and must be moulded and given an opportunity at the highest level once he continues to operate in that measly manner.
He played five matches during this year’s CPL and operated at an economy rate of 4.35 after five outings.
Overall, the West Indies T20 side is a pretty settled one. You would imagine the top order duties being handed to Chris Gayle – if his retirement isn’t on the horizon – Evin Lewis and or Lendl Simons. The middle-order should feature Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran while the addition of Darren Bravo will only add strength and depth.
Skipper Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Andre Russell are pencilled in as the frontline all-rounders while Powell and Mayers should be tussling for the backup spot. The spin department will present the most worry for the selectors since there is always uncertainty around the availability of Sunil Narine and Hayden Walsh Jr. and Khary Pierre haven’t grabbed their opportunities and done enough to cement their places.
Fabian Allen may have to be retained while Guyanese Sinclair should be kept around the set up as a future prospect.
Kesrick Williams and Sheldon Cottrell would be my frontline seamers if the tournament were to be held in the near future.
