ENG tour of WI, 2022 – Early signs of a tough T20I world cup

Whenever I listen to the Indian greats like Sunil Gavaskar emphasizing the greatness of the West Indies Pace quartet of  70’s and the glorious days of the Caribbean cricket followed by its decline in its dominance on the world cricket,I used to wish heart fully for the redemption of the WI cricket in the best interest of the cricket.Apart from occasional sparks here and there helped by the individual brilliance of the greats like Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul,Carl Cooper et al, the team as a whole unit didn’t show any omens of resurrection let alone dominance.I have also heard from my Caribbean friends how Soccer slowly started taking over the Islands which was once a cricket crazy nation.But with the advent of T20,I believe the nation had found its niche in at least shortest form of the sport.They have won two out of seven world cup titles so far in 2012 and 2016 which explains the story.The winning of the 2012 T20I World cup was the watershed moment in the West Indies cricket history.It had led to many youngsters of the new generation with new way of thinking,pick up cricket as a sport and eventually as a profession.They started becoming hot cakes across all T20 Franchise championships.Probably, West Indies could be the only team that could compete with
New Zealand if ever there is a competition of most liked cricket teams
by the cricket fans irrespective of their own teams.Albeit,the reasons are different.The black caps offer magnificent display of sportsmanship
through their gentleman behavior which makes them a ambassadors of the game while the West Indies cricketers are
respected for their athleticism often manifested by jaw dropping
catches,ground fielding and their big hitting abilities.

Post 2015,England are a different white ball force to reckon with under Eoin Morgan.They have deep dived into their problem areas and came up with a solution which is nothing but  power hitting till the last batsman.This was something similar SriLankan team deployed in mid 90’s under Arjuna Ranathunga but limited to only the openers,Sanath Jayasuriya and Kaluvitharana which had helped them clinch ODI World Cup 96.

The recently concluded Betway T20I series between England & West Indies,I must admit,is a treat to watch.The ideologies are similar.None of the teams wants to start slow,have wickets in hand and then launch the attack. They matched up to each other shoulders to shoulders and the matches offered what a cricket lover usually expects,the last over finishes.The teams never let the other go away with the title easily which lead the fifth match be the series decider.And what a final it turned out to be. The match went down the wire(remembering Ravi Shastri here) to last over and who expected a Hat trick there? Just Fabulous!!

(Image Courtesy : Cricbuzz)

Moin Ali had led the England team well in the absence of regular skipper Eoin Morgan and Vice Captain Jos Buttler.It’s high time that Morgan starts contributing with the bat as well.Jason Holder,the all rounder is obviously my player of the series. Akeal Hosein is a player to watch out for.

With upcoming West Indies tour of India starting February 6,India will be keenly watching the footage’s of these WI players and would have realized to rope in 2 spinners in the eleven and bowlers who can take pace off the ball as and when needed.

Any team would usually love to tour Caribbean Islands for the picturesque stadiums but essentially the cricket loving spectators filling up the stadiums.It’s good to see the packed stadiums dominated of course by the host crowd but also great to see considerable English supporters enjoying the sport with a glass of beer in hand.Amidst the world crisis we are all in,this is a welcome event to the sport and a much needed relief for the Television viewers.