With the West Indies already securing their spot in the Super Eights, captain Rovman Powell emphasized the importance of sustaining their momentum as they face Afghanistan in their final group stage match Monday.
The unbeaten co-hosts have cruised through Group C with victories over Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and New Zealand, currently lying second with six points, just behind Afghanistan due to a lower net run rate.
Powell highlighted that this match presents a valuable opportunity for the batsmen to solidify their form ahead of the crucial second round of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
“All of us as batters have [had] a very, very subtle start to the World Cup, but tomorrow presents an opportunity here at the Daren Sammy Stadium for us as batters to get it right – it’s also a better opportunity on a better wicket,” Powell told reporters yesterday.
Momentum is a very important word for us
“Just like myself and Johnson Charles, we’re definitely looking forward to it. We know that Johnson is definitely a match-winner for us, so we’ll see how best as possible we go tomorrow.”
He added, “Momentum is a very important word for us. It’s important for us to keep playing good cricket and consistent cricket. After this game, the Super Eights is very, very important, so you want players going into the Super Eights with good performances. You want to go in the Super Eights as a team winning.”
Powell reiterated that despite already qualifying for the Super Eights, the team is not taking this match lightly.
“It’s an opportunity for us to also put on a display for the St Lucians that will come out tomorrow to watch us play World Cup cricket,” he said.
Afghanistan has also been impressive in the tournament, crushing Uganda, stunning New Zealand, and making light work of Papua New Guinea last Thursday in Trinidad. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the tournament’s leading batsman with 167 runs, and left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi tops the bowling charts with 12 wickets.
Afghanistan at the top of their game
With Afghanistan at the top of their game, Powell acknowledged that the 7:30 p.m. fixture is the perfect test for his side before the second round.
“Obviously, it’s a top-of-the-table clash. Afghanistan have been playing good T20 cricket and consistent T20 cricket,” said the Jamaican. “They have a lot of match winners, so it’s something that we have to come with our best game. [It is] very good practice going into the Super Eight games.”
The subpar nature of the pitches in the tournament has been a topic of much discussion, but the Daren Sammy Stadium provided excellent conditions for batsmen on Saturday in Australia’s six-wicket victory over Scotland, which saw them chase down a target of 180.
Powell said the West Indies were looking forward to exploiting the good batting conditions.
“When we [looked at] the schedule, all the batters were excited to come to St Lucia,” Powell said. “Traditionally, St Lucia [has] … been a place where batters like to bat, but it’s also an opportunity for bowlers to bowl good spells here, especially the fast bowlers. We think that St. Lucia offers 60/40 in terms of, from a batting perspective, to bowl, and so, if you are a bowler, or if you are a batter, you definitely can get something out of the St Lucia wicket.”
The West Indies have a challenging Super Eight schedule ahead, starting with a match against England next Wednesday in St Lucia, followed by a game against the United States in Barbados two days later, and culminating with a clash against South Africa in Antigua next Sunday.
