Fast bowling legend and former West Indies cricketer, Sir Curtly Ambrose, is backing the regional squad to spring a surprise during this year’s ICC (International Cricket Council) Cricket World Cup starting at the end of May. “Our chances are as good as anybody’s because when you look at cricket in general and like I’ve said to the guys when I was with the team [as a coach], ICC ratings or rankings doesn’t really count on the field.
In the rankings you could be one, two or three but it simply means you’re more consistent and you’re winning more games so you get the points to move to the top of the table but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the better team,” he said.
The Antiguan, who claimed 405 wickets in 98 Tests and 225 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODI), joins a number of past players to include former captain and prolific batsman, Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo who have all predicted that the Caribbean squad could go all the way.
But, like his counterparts, Sir Curtly said the team’s success is highly dependent on the level of consistency displayed throughout the tournament.
“We have a decent team but of course, people are going to argue about one or two players which will happen from now until eternity but I feel we have a good enough team to go deeper into the World Cup. Our problem is the consistency factor where we would win one game handsomely then maybe lose two or three and then win another one and if you’re so inconsistent then you’re never going to go far. As long as we are consistent in this World Cup, we can spring some surprises and go deep but we have to be consistent,” he said.
The Windies are set to open their campaign on 31st May when they take on Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in England. They return to Trent Bridge on 6th June against Australia before facing host England eight days later. The regional squad will then face Bangladesh on 17th June and New Zealand on 22nd June. They will then meet giants India on 27th June, Sri Lanka on 1st July and Afghanistan on 4th July