With the West Indies set to begin preparation for the 2021 International Cricket Council T20 World Cup, the big question is who will open the batting?
At the selectors’ discretion are several players, all bringing a different style and flamboyance to the side, not to mention some astonishing records.
At the heart of the discussion is the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle.
Labeled as the most impactful batsman in the format, Gayle would be a shoo-in for any side once fully fit as his exploits have been seen in franchise leagues the world over.
With 404 T20s under his belt, 13296 runs featuring 22 centuries and 82 fifties, the most prolific run-scorer in the format is often one of the first names jotted down when coming up with a team.
However, at 41, Gayle is well on his way into the twilight of his career. Even in the Indian Premier League, Kings XI Punjab has not utilized his services as yet but to his credit, he was out of a few matches due to an alleged food poisoning.
The left-hander was also absent from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and last played a franchise T20 game in the Bangladesh Premier League in January.
In the BPL he scored 144 runs from four innings, passing 50 once while boasting a strike rate of 138.
Meanwhile, in West Indies colours, Gayle has only featured in seven matches since their 2016 T20 World Cup victory. Only in one innings has he passed 18.
Another person in contention is Andre Fletcher. At 32, ‘Spice Man’ has been out of the West Indies side for two years but in that time has churned out performances that could push him back under the selectors’ radar.
In the last BPL, Fletcher notched up 255 runs at a strike rate of 129. It was during that series he also scored his maiden century in the format. The right-hander carried this form into the CPL and played an integral role in St. Lucia Zouks reaching the final. He scored 211 runs from 11 innings at a strike rate of 127.8 despite not scoring a half century.
Behind the stumps, Fletcher showed he is still one of the best wicketkeepers in the Region with 15 dismissals, the most by any wicketkeeper.
Another wicketkeeper/batsman who has shown maturity since his axing from West Indies and could possibly make a return is Johnson Charles.
Since he last suited up for West Indies four years ago, Charles has been plying his trade across the globe in various franchise leagues.
Charles, like Fletcher, enjoyed success in the BPL where he scored 296 runs from 11 innings. He scored two half centuries and batted at a strike rate of an impressive 164.
The St. Lucian right-hander did not have the best of run in the CPL but still managed to be score the second highest aggregate for Barbados Tridents in a poor campaign. The 31-year-old chalked up 214 runs from 10 innings with a high score of 52.
Similar to Charles’ CPL campaign, Brandon King did not have the best campaign, but with age on his side and the obvious talent present, West Indies selectors could show faith in him.
The 25-year-old managed just 116 runs and a strike rate of less than 100 but if they are to be exploring their options for the World Cup, King’s chances to have as much matches as possible could be increased.
He has played just eight international matches and has batted positively with a healthy strike rate of 134. In his most recent international series, the Jamaican right-hander was fluent and scored 33 and 43 in his last two innings against Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, Lendl Simmons will no doubt be a frontrunner for the one of the opening spots. Simmons ended the CPL as the leading run scorer with 356 runs from 11 innings and boasting a strike rate of 122.
At 35, Simmons has been the embodiment of consistency as he brought form from the BPL into the Caribbean League. In the BPL, he stroked three half centuries to end with 293 runs at a strike rate of 130.
This consistency was shown in T20Is earlier this year where he scored an unbeaten 91 against Ireland and followed up with 67 not out versus Sri Lanka.
Also in contention will be Evin Lewis. Despite facing issues on his fitness, the 28-year-old ended the CPL as one of the better batsmen with 235 runs and a strike rate of 120.
But it is the left-hander’s international statistics speak for itself. With a strike rate of 155, two tons and six fifties in 32 innings, Lewis is easily one of the better openers in the Region and is likely to be considered if fit. Another consideration for the selectors would be an unorthodox move in giving Sunil Narine the nod for the spot. Though mostly known for his bowling, Narine has built a reputation as a hard hitting opener, particularly in the Indian Premier League.
In the CPL, Narine was tried and clubbed 144 runs at a strike rate of 148 in his five innings.
However, it may be difficult to select him on his batting alone after being reported for an illegal bowling action during the on-going IPL.
Will the selectors opt for the wild card option in Narine? Will they blood the young gun in King? Will they go to the veteran in Gayle? Is Lewis fit enough to satisfy the selectors? Has Fletcher and Charles done enough to break back into the side? Is Simmons’ available?
Chief Selector, Roger Harper has already expressed that everyone is in consideration for selection as they embark on a three-match T20I series against hosts, New Zealand next month when hopefully those questions will be answered.
