With their current form, Darren Sammy feels that the West Indies team is determined to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home grounds. Although it is a lot to ask of a player who has only participated in three Twenty20 internationals, teenage fast bowler Shamar Joseph could be the key to the West Indies’ success in their home World Cup.
With only six games under his belt—including a frustrating performance for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL—the 24-year-old Guyana native may lack experience in this format of the game, but he possesses quickness. The West Indies wanted Joseph just as much as England wanted Jofra Archer back among their ranks.
He was chosen over another young, speedy player named Matthew Forde because they understand that quickness in any aspect of the game may win a match. Darren Sammy backs Shamar Joseph to do well in the World Cup. Darren Sammy feels he is one that can be a future star for West Indies.
Darren Sammy On Shamar Joseph
“Shamar Joseph has the pace, he has skills with the new ball,” said coach Daren Sammy when he named the squad.
“Not saying Matthew Forde doesn’t but when you look at the role, it makes it easier for us to now pick the personnel to fit that role.”
Joseph, who had been employed as a security guard the previous year, made waves in January when he defeated Australia’s highly regarded batting lineup in a Test match held in Brisbane. In just his second Test match, Joseph finished with a 7-68 score to help the West Indies secure their first victory in Australia since 1997.
It was an impressive performance that demonstrated Joseph’s skill and talent for the large venue, in addition to his flair for the dramatic.
With Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda in Group C, the West Indies’ goal is clearly to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times. They have already done so twice, in 2012 and 2016, when Carlos Brathwaite hit England’s Ben Stokes for four straight sixes in the final over to win the tournament.
Playing in both of those wins were Johnson Charles and Andre Russell, one of the most accomplished all-rounders in the format, who is back for another match.
Curtly Ambrose On Home Advantage
However, the pressure of playing in their own backyard could prove a burden. Even with Brian Lara in their side, they flopped when they hosted the 2007 ODI World Cup.
“It is not going to be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice so we are going to try and make it three,” said former fast bowler Curtly Ambrose who was bowling coach in 2016.
“And no other nation has ever won it (T20 World Cup) on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well.”
Recent history is another source of pressure. For a team that once dominated cricket, things have slowly become worse after that victory in 2016. The last two T20 World Cups were disastrous for the West Indies.
With just one victory, Kieron Pollard’s team was knocked out in the UAE group round in 2021, while Nicholas Pooran’s team was unable to get to the main round in Australia the following year. Even worse, the West Indies were not even able to advance to the previous year’s ODI World Cup in India.
Ambrose, however, prefers to accentuate the positive saying the West Indies “have a very, very good team”.
“Once the guys start playing consistent cricket and smart cricket, I believe we can take the trophy,” he added.
There is undoubtedly a lot of skill on the team that can win games. The core of the middle order is left-hander Pooran, who had an outstanding IPL season for the Lucknow Super Giants, hitting 499 runs at a strike rate of 178.21. However, both Shai Hope and captain Rovman Powell are experienced players.
Darren Sammy “I Think We’re About To Knock It Out Of This World”
They will have some incredible ball-striking power thanks to Shamar Joseph, if he plays, and his unrelated namesake, Alzarri Joseph, who is also a quick bowler.
“What we’ve been able to do throughout the last year as a T20 group, the players we’ve exposed, has brought us to this moment,” said Darren Sammy. “And I think we’re about to knock it out of this world.”
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