Bowlers possessing the ‘X-factor’ will be crucial in determining success in the T20 World Cup, according to Sammy.
Daren Sammy, the head coach of West Indies, emphasized the growing dominance of batsmen in T20 cricket, noting that bowlers with exceptional skills could be pivotal in the upcoming World Cup in June. He pointed out the evident batting favoritism in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), where high scores of 200 or more have become common and even 300 seems achievable. Sammy, who led West Indies to victory in both their T20 World Cup triumphs, anticipated the trend of aggressive batting to persist during the June event.
During a telephone interview from his T20 World Cup trophy tour in Saint Lucia, Sammy remarked on the pressure faced by bowlers, irrespective of their experience, in the current cricket scenario. He highlighted the high-scoring nature of matches in the IPL, indicating the significant dominance of batsmen in T20 cricket. While teams are expected to prioritize power-hitters in their squads, Sammy emphasized the importance of bowlers possessing unique skills or techniques in order to make a difference in the tournament.
Sammy stressed the potential impact of bowlers with unconventional abilities, such as pace or mystery spin, in shaping match outcomes. He underscored the value of raw pace, citing examples like Lasith Malinga’s role in Sri Lanka’s triumph in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Sammy also acknowledged the significance of genuine pace in creating uncertainty in the minds of batsmen, regardless of the pitch conditions.
Regarding West Indies’ team composition, Sammy drew parallels between the current squad and the ones that secured World Cup victories under his leadership. He noted that while their batting strength remains formidable, their bowling performance would rely heavily on contributions from all-rounders. Sammy mentioned players like Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie as key assets in the spin department, along with pacers like Alzarri Joseph.
Sammy mentioned ongoing efforts to persuade veteran spinner Sunil Narine, who is also an explosive opener, to reconsider retirement and rejoin the team. However, he expressed uncertainty about Narine’s availability for selection.
Finally, Sammy acknowledged the return of experienced players like Andre Russell and Shimron Hetmyer to the squad since he took charge as coach. Despite ongoing discussions with Narine, Sammy indicated that his availability for selection would ultimately depend on his retirement status. West Indies, along with the United States, will co-host the upcoming tournament.
