ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Strongest Windies Playing XI
In their glory days, Windies were the first team to lift the Cricket World Cup twice in succession. Even in the 1983 edition, they were the favourites to take the coveted trophy home but the Indian team pulled off a miraculous victory to ruin the plan. Since then, men from the Caribbean have not managed to enter the final of the showpiece event.
The deteriorating standards of Windies cricket reached so low that their participation in the World Cup 2019 was not assured. Jason Holder and co had to come through the Qualifying event which was held in Zimbabwe. Windies were twice defeated by Afghanistan but they ultimately secured the tenth spot in the upcoming 2019 World Cup which will be played in England.
Since the Qualifying event, Windies has discovered a few shining stars in Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Oshane Thomas. T20 legend Chris Gayle will also be available for the selection. Although Windies will not be the favourites for a podium finish, the T20I champions will be a challenge for every team they meet. This is their best possible playing XI at this stage for the flagship event.
#1 Chris Gayle
The man requires no introduction. Cricket’s greatest traveller has played the game all around the Earth and will be hoping to have a sweet finish with a few heroics in his final World Cup. Chris Gayle lighted up the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand by becoming the first man to score a double century in the World Cup. The left-handed marauder was involved in the record partnership of 372 runs with Marlon Samuels.
Chris Gayle is 39 years old and will be making himself available for the marquee event. Windies captain Jason Holder stated that if fit, Gayle is a certainty in the team. Gayle is a batsman who can win the matches for his side single-handedly. At the World Cup, he will have a chance of ending his ODI career with 10,000 runs.
#2 Evin Lewis
Chris Gayle’s partner at the other end should be the 27-year-old left-handed batsman from Trinidad, Evin Lewis. The upcoming batsman considers Gayle as his mentor and likes to deposit the ball in the stands. Lewis has already established his name in the International cricket with his two quick-fire T20I centuries. The left-hander scores daddy hundreds in ODIs as evident by his 176 against England.
Beginning with the stellar performances, Lewis has mellowed down with the run-scoring but with a few more months to go for the World Cup, he should be back with a bang.