Can the West Indies mount a serious challenge?

A cruel game is cricket. Twenty years ago the Fire in Babylon seemed to still flicker. Weak, yes, but there was still memorable performances which reminded the world of the super power which had for twenty years laid waste to all before it. The 1996 Cricket World Cup was probably the last time the Men from the Caribbean showed real, tangible potential to win the tournament. Having despatched South Africa on the back of one of the all-time great innings by one Brian Lara, the boys in Maroon then conspired, with no little help from a certain Shane Warne, to take the game by the scruff of the neck and throw it as far down a narrow well as possible. That was then, though. This is now. The current West Indian side has shown neither the inclination to fashion a reasonable assault on the trophy, nor have they shown ability. Fortunately for them though, they are in what could be argued is the weaker group, and as such avoid the big favourites for the competition, Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately for them however, they simply aren’t in a position to feel any game is a gimme. For those who weren’t watching, AB de Villiers compiled a ruthless, merciless on a rather helpless Windies bowling line up to the tune of 149 runs in 44 balls. Indeed had he come any earlier, he might have had designs on mustering a double century. Keen to prove that this wasn’t a freak occurrence, and that they can in fact bowl, they proceeded to concede 365 runs in forty -two overs against a South African team in Durban. The nadir of this tour came in the final four overs, where they were spanked to the tune of 65 runs in four overs. They simply aren’t in a position to think they can bat their way out trouble either, as their batting line-up really isn’t much better. Their gun batter, Chris Gayle, has only hit two centuries since the start of the decade. In fact, Mr. Cool himself is averaging a rather cool 26.85 in the last five years. Combined with an opening partner who averages less than twenty, and a fragile middle order, then the responsibility of consistently getting the Windes to something approaching a respectable score lies in the hands of the Iceman (what is with West Indians and weather related nicknames?), Marlon Samuels. Samuels averages a better than par 37 in the last four years, and will definitely show a willingness to drive the Windies forward. I don’t think it’s going to be enough though. Prediction: Quarter Finals (possibly group elimination)