Iconic fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose believes that the West Indies have the firepower to secure an unprecedented third ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup title when they co-host the tournament next month with the United States.
Speaking during the launch of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium earlier this week, Ambrose expressed his optimism, citing recent performances under the captaincy of Rovman Powell against cricket powerhouses like South Africa, India, and England. “We have a very, very good team,” Ambrose remarked. “As we speak, they [West Indies] are in Antigua at a camp preparing themselves for the start of the T20 World Cup, which is a couple of weeks away. I believe, once the guys start playing consistent cricket and smart cricket, I believe we can take the trophy.”
The West Indies are one of only two sides to have won the T20 World Cup twice, with England being the other. However, recent ICC tournament performances have been disappointing, with the team failing to progress beyond the first round in the past two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, and not qualifying for the 2023 ICC Men’s One-Day International Cricket World Cup in India.
It’s not going to be easy
“It’s not going to be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice. So we are going to try and make it three,” Ambrose continued. “And no other nation has ever won it on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well, and I am hoping they can do it.”
The West Indies are part of Group C in the World Cup, alongside Papua New Guinea, Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Ambrose acknowledged the potential for upsets in the tournament, given the nature of T20 cricket where every team has a chance to beat any other.
“I admire a lot of cricketers [at the T20I World Cup], and I am looking forward to them doing well,” Ambrose stated. “As a proud Antiguan and being from the West Indies, I want the West Indies to win. It’s not going to be easy, because, in T20 cricket, every team has an equal chance of beating any other team, and that is just the nature of T20 cricket. It’s going to be exciting, but I am going to be rooting for the West Indies.”
The West Indies’ preparations and Ambrose’s confidence set the stage for an exciting and highly anticipated tournament, as the team seeks to make history on home soil.
