T20 World Cup 2021: Match 14 – England vs West Indies Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

England are certainly the favourites but they will be aware of the threat West Indies possses.

Published - 22 Oct 2021, 22:42 IST | Updated - 22 Oct 2021, 22:42 IST

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‘Remember the name, Carlos Brathwaite.’ These words are still in the minds of England fans especially. Carlos Brathwaite was the man who ended England’s hopes smashing 24 runs in the final over of the T20 World Cup five years ago. The Eoin Morgan-led side has since dominated the limited-overs formats and also won the 50-over World Cup. They will be eager to make amends in this mega event after falling short in 2016.

Five years down the line, it is only fitting that the two teams are getting their campaign underway with a game against each other. But a lot has changed since then. Carlos Brathwaite is no more a part of West Indies side. Rather he didn’t have many memorable moments again in the Maroon jersey while Ben Stokes is missing the World Cup to heal his injured finger and is also in the middle of a mental health break.

But the players in action for this game are no less than the superstars in the shortest format. West Indies have assembled their top players just in time for the mega event with only Sunil Narine missing out while England are undoubtedly one of the favourites. The Caribbean side have come into this tournament with inexperienced spinners and their batters also didn’t look in best of touches in the warm-ups.

England, on the other hand, smashed 180+ total against India and then defended 163 against New Zealand. Though their bowlers were not spot on against India, dew played a huge part in that loss. They will be better prepared for the challenge this time around. However, they will be fully aware of the ability West Indies possesses having tasted it first hand five years ago.

Pitch and Conditions

The venue witnessed a lot of IPL matches in the past month or so including the final. Expect the surface to be fresh as the curator has got around a week to prepare the pitch after the IPL final. If anything, it will have something for the bowlers early on which will definitely prompt the captains to bowl first. It goes without saying that dew will definitely play a huge part.

Playing Combinations for ENG vs WI

England

Eoin Morgan has offered to drop himself if he doesn’t regain his form soon. But he will come out to lead England definitely in this game. Most of the players had a decent outing in the warm-ups. Dawid Malan’s position is certainly in threat given his show in the warm-up game and we might see Moeen Ali also making it to the XI thanks to his form in the IPL final as well. It remains to be seen if Tymal Mills gets a chance as well.

Probable XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Eoin Morgan (C), Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, David Willey/Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Chris Jordan.

West Indies

West Indies batters haven’t looked in good touch at all in the spin-friendly conditions at all. But count them out at your own peril. Irrespective of the form, Chris Gayle should bat at three while Simmons and Evin Lewis are likely to open the innings. The presence of Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo in the line-up adds a lot of experience. The only problem the defending champions might face is in the form of their spinners who aren’t experienced at all.

Probable XI: Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein/Hayden Walsh Jr, Obed McCoy, Oshane Thomas/Ravi Rampaul