NEW DELHI: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in the team's "dangerous" batting lineup ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in June, emphasizing the need to define specific roles for their bowlers to excel.
Having led West Indies to T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016, Sammy highlighted the team's formidable batting prowess, demonstrated by recent series wins against South Africa, India, and England in 2023. Despite losing the series 2-1, West Indies posted three consecutive 200-plus scores in Australia earlier this year, showcasing their explosive batting potential.
Sammy, speaking in a Cricket West Indies video interview, remarked, "It sends a strong message to the world from our batting group that West Indies is a dangerous force."
Reflecting on his past captaincy, he added, "I've seen this team before, this type of power, the explosiveness."
While acknowledging the team's strength in batting, Sammy identified death-overs bowling as an area needing improvement. He mentioned ongoing efforts to finalize the candidates for different bowling roles, with fast bowler Shamar Joseph emerging as a potential asset for the World Cup following his impressive debut during a test series in Australia earlier this year.
Joseph's performance generated significant excitement across the Caribbean, highlighting the impact of West Indies' success on regional cricket. Sammy emphasized the importance of winning the T20 World Cup on home soil to sustain interest and enthusiasm for the sport.
"When West Indies do well, there's a buzz," Sammy noted. "So for us, and for me as a coach, to lift the silverware, it will mean everything."
Under the leadership of Rovman Powell, West Indies will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign with a Group C match against Papua New Guinea in Providence, Guyana, aiming to replicate their past tournament successes.
(With inputs from Reuters)
