Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Brian Lara has reacted on Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo’s presence in the West Indies team for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia later this year.
Former West Indies captain Lara is currently in India for the Road Safety World Series. In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, the left-hand genius revealed that the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 would play a massive role in deciding the future of both Gayle and Bravo in West Indies cricket.
“I think the IPL is going to be a huge point or signal for who is actually who’s going to carry on. It’s still going to be five months after the IPL for the World Cup,” said Lara.
“Fitness levels are very important, but a gruesome tournament like the IPL is going to tell the West Indies selectors who are the players that they really need going into the last four months of preparation for the World Cup,” the Trinidadian cricketer added.
Lara was also asked about the youngsters in the current Caribbean side that he looks forward to see in the upcoming mega event in Australia, to which he took names of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope and Alzarri Joseph.
“You called one name, Hetmyer, and I like Pooran as well. Shai Hope has done very well and I think he could play a part in the T20 World Cup, being that solid guy with a great technique that can hold the innings together. Those are the three players I’m really looking forward to seeing,” the 50-year-old added further.
“Alzarri Joseph is someone who I look at and say ‘this guy has got potential, he’s a wicket-taker.’ He is someone who I’d like to see do well,” Lara concluded.
