ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 29: WI vs NZ – Windies Predicted Playing XI

Results have not gone the Windies way thus far in the tournament. They announced themselves with a massive win against Pakistan and then gave a major scare to Australia as well. But in the last two completed games, they were outdone by the opposition and just have three points to their tally at the end of five games.

While they are yet not out of the tournament, the team needs a few big wins if they are to fancy a top-four spot. It is not just about performing well in one department of the game but they should look to pull off a comprehensive performance as they take on New Zealand next. There are still a few questions about the playing eleven for the team from the Caribbean and they are trying out various options available.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Windies

Openers (Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis)

Chris Gayle has blown hot and cold so far in the tournament. The veteran cricketer should look to provide the team with good starts on a consistent basis. Gayle had a wonderful opportunity to get a massive score on a good batting deck in the game against Bangladesh. But he never looked set and got out while poking at a delivery swinging out.

The 39-year-old got to be patient in the initial phase of his innings and can make up for it later on with his power hitting. Evin Lewis had a good outing against Bangladesh. He mustered 70 runs at a fair clip. But it is important for him to be consistent with it and perform well against New Zealand as well.

Middle Order (Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer)

Shai Hope toiled hard in the last game but fell 4 runs short for a well-deserved hundred. He was dismissed on 96 but looked to be in decent touch. Though, it is important for him to analyse the conditions better and play accordingly. Had he accelerated a bit more, Windies might have gone past the 350-run mark which is a huge psychological advantage on any given day.

In the middle order, the team is likely to sideline Darren Bravo who has been out of form for quite some time now. Since Hope already takes up the role of an anchor, they can’t afford to have another player who doesn’t score much quickly in the middle order. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer have been doing well and must take additional responsibility. Both these players look very promising and have got the capability of blowing any opposition away.

All Rounders (Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite)

Jason Holder will have to fulfil a bigger role with the bat as he might have to bat higher up the order. He was great in the last match with a quickfire 33 and provided his team with the final impetus. With the ball, though, Holder should be a lot tighter and should always be in the hunt for wickets. Andre Russell is turning out to be a huge attack to the management.

He has got the talent, form as well as the potential to deliver. But for him, it is important to realise that this is 50-over cricket and that he can’t look to hit every ball out of the park. Russell should target the shorter boundaries and must put equal emphasis on strike rotation. Carlos Brathwaite is most likely to be back in the team. He gives the captain an additional bowling options and even adds depth to the batting.

Bowlers (Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach)

Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas will continue to be two important pacers in the side. Thomas didn’t have a great last week. Apart from being expensive, he failed to pick as many wickets as he’d have liked. Thus, it is important for him to pick his game up soon. Windies should look to bowl him with the new ball instead of bringing him as the third or fourth change bowler.

Cottrell is hitting good areas and testing the batsmen out. He could be amongst the wickets again in the next game. On the other hand, Shannon Gabriel has been bowling Test match lines and lengths. Thus, he hasn’t been as effective as he should be. The Caribbean team might ponder about roping in Kemar Roach in his place.