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As co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024, the West Indies cricket team is considered a formidable force, backed by their impressive recent form in T20 cricket.
West Indies’ strong batting in the T20 World Cup 2024
Their journey begins with a Group C match against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Providence Stadium in Guyana on the opening day of the tournament. Led by captain Rovman Powell, the West Indies boast a powerful batting lineup comprising Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford, making them strong contenders for advancing deep into the tournament.
5 players from West Indies from 2022 T20 World cup who didn’t make it to 2024 edition:
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, the West Indies fielded several key players who made significant contributions to the team’s performance. However, these players will not be part of the 2024 edition, which raises questions about the team’s composition and strategy for the upcoming tournament.
1. Kyle Mayers
Kyle Mayers had a challenging outing in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He played in three matches, scoring 34 runs off 30 balls with a highest score of 20. His average was 11.33, and he had a strike rate of 113.33, with 5 fours and 1 six to his name. As a bowler, Mayers bowled 3 overs without taking a wicket, conceding 41 runs at an economy rate of 13.66.
He scored no T20I fifties in 11 innings since touring South Africa in 2023 and was dropped thereafter, but made 243 runs in six innings at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and boasts a T20 strike rate above 150 this year and above 143 from 40 matches last year Despite his potential as an all-rounder, Mayers is not a part of the 2024 squad, possibly due to the emergence of new talents and the need for more consistent performers.
2. Shamarh Brooks
Shamarh Brooks had a brief and difficult stint in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He played in two matches, scoring only 4 runs from 12 balls, with a highest score of 4. His batting average was a mere 2.00, and his strike rate was 33.33, reflecting his struggles at the crease. Brooks did not hit any boundaries during the tournament.
Given his limited impact, it is not surprising that he will not be featuring in the 2024 edition, as the team looks to bring in more reliable and consistent batter. He last played an T20I international for West Indies way back in October, 2022 and his age and fitness could also be one of the factor behind him not being a part this time.
Also READ: West Indies record in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history
3. Evin Lewis
Evin Lewis, a hard-hitting opener, played three matches in the 2022 T20 World Cup, scoring 42 runs off 49 balls. His highest score was 15, and he had an average of 14.00 with a strike rate of 85.71. Lewis managed to hit only 2 fours and 1 six, indicating his struggle to dominate the bowlers. Despite his past exploits in T20 cricket, Lewis will not be part of the 2024 squad, likely due to his inconsistent performances where it became a norm that every big innings of him would be followed by strings of low scores, and the selection of more in-form players.
4. Odean Smith
Odean Smith, another all-rounder, played in three matches during the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored 25 runs off 22 balls with a highest score of 19 not out, maintaining a batting average of 25.00 and a strike rate of 113.63. Smith hit 1 four and 2 sixes. As a bowler, he delivered 9 overs, taking 2 wickets for 85 runs at an average of 42.50, with an economy rate of 9.44 and best bowling figures of 1/31. Despite showing promise, Smith will not be in the 2024 squad, possibly due to his inconsistent show with both bat and ball.
5. Jason Holder
Jason Holder, a key player for West Indies, played three matches in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored 42 runs off 36 balls, with a highest score of 38, averaging 21.00 and striking at 116.66. Holder hit 4 fours and 1 six. As a bowler, he was particularly effective, taking 5 wickets for 49 runs in 10.2 overs at an average of 9.80, with an excellent economy rate of 4.74.
His best bowling figures were 3/12. Holder was initially included in the T20 World Cup squad but had to withdraw due to a last-minute injury. Holder sustained his injury while playing in the County Championship for Worcestershire, England. In his place, Obed McCoy has been selected, marking a significant change for the West Indies team.
