We have the calibre to perform at World T20 in Indian conditions, says West Indies bowling coach Curtly Ambrose
West Indies have a host of dynamic players who shine in the world’s domestic Twenty20 competitions and they must combine to lift the World T20. (Source: File photo)
With some of the world’s most destructive T20 cricketers in their ranks, West Indies bowling coach Curtly Ambrose feels the team can clinch the upcoming World T20 title in India if they fire in unison.
West Indies, who won the tournament in 2012, have a host of dynamic players who regularly shine in the world’s domestic Twenty20 competitions and Ambrose said they must combine to lift the World T20 starting on March 8.
“Look at the team that we have half of the team are in demand across the world for different T20 leagues. So you may find one guy here, maybe two in this league and two in another league, but we have all at once so we have a great chance of winning this T20 tournament just look at our squad,” Ambrose was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Ambrose’s point was recently highlighted by the standout performances of Andre Russell (Sydney Thunder), Samuel Badree (Brisbane Heat), Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo (Melbourne Renegades) in the KFC Big Bash League.
Bravo (201 runs, six wickets) was one of the Renegades’ best, while Gayle was relatively low-key by his world-beating standards before exploding in the final match to register the equal-fastest T20 half-century of all time (12 balls).
West Indies are placed in Group 1 for the World T20 alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, 2010 winners England, and South Africa and the top team from qualifying Group B (Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Afghanistan).
“Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, captain Darren Sammy and all the senior players have to lead from the front.
“From my experience over the years, when the senior players the guys that we expect to really take the mantle and take the team forward are doing well, automatically the younger players will step up to the plate,” said Ambrose.
Samuels, Gayle, Russell, Bravo, Badree and Sammy are among eight members of the victorious 2012 World T20 squad backing up for this month’s event in India.
And Sammy said that his team must capitalise on this advantage.
“The fact that we’ve won a World Cup means we know how to get it done…this year we’re coming in with eight members from the team that won the (T20) World Cup so the squad is not lacking in experience,” Sammy said.
“The guys are seasoned T20 players so in that vein, I believe we have the right personnel and right calibre players to help us perform in the conditions in India, and we just have that belief that we can do it,” he added.
