The coveted ICC T20I World Cup 2024 is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with 20 teams battling it out in the USA and the West Indies . Two-time champions West Indies are aiming to reclaim their former glory after a period of inconsistency. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea (PNG) enter their second T20I World Cup eager to secure their first win after three losses in 2021.
However, their batting form has been worrying after failing to surpass 140 runs in practice matches. Their challenge doesn’t get any easier as they face the formidable West Indies side known for their explosive batting prowess. The hosts are high on confidence as they outclassed Australia in the practice game amassing 257 runs batting first and restricting Aussies to 222.
Big picture – West Indies look to make early moves
Redemption will be on WI agenda as they kick off the Caribbean leg of T20 World Cup 2024 against Papua New Guinea in Providence. They lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016, but WI have had a torrid time at the last two editions. In 2021, they only managed one win in five matches to make a Super 12s exit. In 2022, they failed to even make it to the Super 12s, losing to Ireland and Scotland in the opening round.
Now, in home territory, with a team in form, West Indies will hope to return to their glory days. PNG might not appear as threatening as some of the other teams, but West Indies will have to start strong, even think of giving their net run-rate an early boost.
They are coming into the World Cup on the back of a 3-0 sweep over South Africa at home – though both teams were without many of their World Cuppers. But West Indies also beat Australia in their only warm-up game where they smashed 257 in their 20 overs. That’s good portents.
Andre Russell boasts of a strike rate of 207.89 in T20s this year. He played his part in Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL title win last week. Nicholas Pooran finished as Lucknow Super Giants’ second-highest run-getter at the IPL. Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer both struck at strike rates in excess of 150 for Rajasthan Royals. Against South Africa, Gudakesh Motie was the highest wicket-taker while Brandon King was the highest run-scorer.
PNG, in their second appearance at the World Cup and the first since 2021, will want to make an impression, and upset some calculations. And they have the experience for it – ten of their members played in the 2021 edition; only four of their players are below 25. PNG are a pace-dominated side with only Charles Amini as a frontline spinner. But it’s the veteran batters that they will look to – Assad Vala, Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Sese Bau are all capable of turning it on, and West Indies will be aware of that.
A host nation has never won the men’s T20 World Cup, and West Indies will hope to buck the trend this time. Starting right away.
WI vs PNG Pitch Report
At Providence, the pitch is likely to be slow with some early moisture aiding the bowlers’ movement. Expect average scores ranging from 160 to 180 runs, given the Windies’ power batting lineup those stats might disappear. Guyana’s climate will be hot and humid, with a touch of dew later on. Teams may opt to bowl first, aiming to limit the opposition to a below-average total.
The average first-innings score at Providence in T20 games since the start of 2022 is 168 with teams happier to bat second. In 24 T20 games here since 2022, captains have opted to field in 16 outings. But, it has not always translated into wins. Teams batting first have scored 11 wins out of 24 while 12 have been won by the teams batting second.
One game was washed out. Spinners have been dominant here, going at an economy of 6.94 in those games. But all of that will become relevant if the weather holds up. There are chances of showers and even a thunderstorm early in the day. A slowish surface, the highest total posted at the venue in international cricket in the last 13 years has been 169 for 5. There is a possibility of passing showers and some cloud cover. But will mostly remain sunny.
WI vs PNG Head-to-Head Record
Tomorrow’s fixture will be the first face-off between these two teams. They have never faced each other in T20Is before. The two teams have never played a T20I against each other.
WI vs PNG In the spotlight – Nicholas Pooran and Charles Amini
Nicholas Pooran is coming into the tournament in fine six-hitting form. Since the start of 2023, no batter has hit more sixes in T20 cricket than Pooran’s 154. He also has a strike rate of 167.45 in T20s this year. In the IPL, where the rest of his team’s batters failed to get going, Pooran struck at 178.21 and then hit a 25-ball 75 with five fours and eight sixes against Australia two days back.
The one-man PNG spin department, Charles Amini, is also a handy batter, and his all-round abilities will hold the key to his team’s fortunes. Amini has the third-most runs for the PNG in T20Is – 994 in 48 innings with a strike rate of 118.61. He is also their second-highest wicket-taker with 47 wickets in 48 innings.
WI vs PNG Vital Stats that matters
- Pooran has hit the most sixes in T20 cricket in 2024 – 77 – and he is fifth on the list for most runs in T20 cricket this year – 993
- Russell’s strike rate of 207.89 in T20 cricket this year is the highest for any batter who has faced more than 75 balls
- Obed McCoy has picked up 36 wickets in T20 cricket this year, the fourth-highest
- Ura is the only PNG batter to have scored a century in T20Is
- Kariko is PNG’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is since the start of 2023 – 25 in 16 games
WI vs PNG Probable Playing XIs
West Indies:
Rovman Powell (c), Brandon King, John Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie
Papua New Guinea:
Lega Siaka, Assad Vala (c), Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Kiplin Doriga, Charles Amini, Kabue Moria, Alei Neo, Sema Kamau, Chad Soper, John Kariko
WI vs PNG Fantasy XI: Rovman Powell (c), Brandon King, John Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie ,Charles Amini, Assad Vala, John Kariko
WI vs PNG Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter of the Match:
Nicholas Pooran has been in fine touch coming out of the IPL 2024. Playing for Lucknow Super Giants he was entrusted with late onslaught as he batted majorly at death. He has a knack for targeting the particular bowler and straining him till the last drop of runs. Having played a substantial amount of cricket in Guyana, he will be the batter to watch out for.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match:
It is imperative to call Russell a first-hand bowler after his exploits in IPL 2024 for Kolkata Knight Riders. The all-rounder picked 19 wickets purely on his variations and slower ones. At times, he hits the deck hard and extracts that surprising bounce baffling the batter. West Indies decks are tailor-made for a bowler like him and he can make a difference.
WI vs PNG Match Prediction
Scenario 1
West Indies win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play Score: 35-45
First Innings Score: 130-140
WI win the match
Scenario 2
Papua New Guinea win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play score: 60-70
First Innings Score: 190-210
WI win the match