England out to test nemesis West Indies

England’s Ben Stokes and David Willey at a training session in Mumbai on Tuesday, the eve of their World T20 match against the West Indies. (Photo: AFP)

After a disastrous campaign in the ODI World Cup last year, England’s buildup to the next ICC event, the World Twenty20, has been impressive. They have beaten Pakistan in UAE and also challenged the Proteas in South Africa recently. But they will have to rewrite history on Wednesday when they take on the unpredictable and dangerous West Indies in a Group 1 clash of the Super 10 stage at Wankhede Stadium here.

The Caribbean side might not have the best build up for this premier event with dispute between players and their board, selection issues, Sunil Narine’s action and lately a doping cloud over all-rounder Andre Russell hogging the headlines, but they love crisis situations.

“We always have some setbacks and we thrive on that. We use it as motivation to do well,” West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said here on Tuesday.

The West Indies also enjoy hundred percent record over England in the history of T20 World Cups which will give them extra motivation. Both sides are former world champions.

England boast of a powerful top order with Alex Hales showing consistency in the last one year and Jason Roy coming to the party in the two warm up games that the Englishmen won quite comprehensively here. Ever reliable Joe Root provides stability to the side along with skipper Eoin Morgan. Jos Butler and Ben Stokes are capable of clearing the boundaries with ease for a powerful finish.

Stokes provides England an outstanding all-round option along with off-spinner Moeen Ali. Lanky left-arm pacer Reece Topley and Chris Jordon are likely to open the bowling while David Willey who took a hat-trick against England XI on Tuesday while appearing for Mumbai CA XI in a warm-up game may get the nod ahead of Liam Plunkett. Stokes completes the four-pronged pace attack.

Ali and Adil Rashid are the spin bowling options. Leg-spinner Rashid bowled beautifully in the two warm up games but Morgan felt “here I am not quite sure if it’s going to turn.”

However, the Wankhede track offers good bounce which can bring Rashid into play.

The West Indies are without Narine, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons who have also pulled out from the event. They still have dangerous players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Sammy and Andre Russell in the team who have played a lot of cricket in India with great success.

Also Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels and Samuel Badree are experienced campaigners.