These traditional big players in world cricket have unfortunately, significantly dropped down the ODI ladder. The West Indies were already on a downward slump at the 1999 world cup where they did not even manage to get into the second phase of the tournament. But at least then, they had Ambrose and Walsh, but now these two greats have retired to expose the true state of West Indian bowling. One cannot mention the West Indies without mentioning Brian Lara – this is simply because this is all the West Indian team appears to be. Other batsmen such as Hinds, Samuels, Hooper, Chanderpaul and Ganga should score runs against opposition bowlers, but their bowling attack does look particularly weak with the little known Corey Collymore perhaps the pick of the West Indian bowlers.
The ‘Windies’ recent ODI record does not look pretty, and the poor form explains why they are 33/1 to win the competition. With South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the West Indies’ Pool, the Windies will have to spring an upset to progress to the second phase. However, even if this happens, do not expect them to get anywhere near the semi-finals.
· Since the year 2000, the West Indies have played 52 ODIs and won 20 of them, a 39% success rate
· In the same period, the West Indies’ record against South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand (all teams in World Cup Pool B, along with the West Indies) is played 16 and won 3, a 19% success rate
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