West Indies is set to take on co-hosts New Zealand and the fourth and last quarter-finals of the ICC World Cuy 2015 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. On paper it looks a one-sided contest loaded heavily in favour of the Kiwis, but West Indies have gone on to become a highly unpredictable side. New Zealand came into the tournament as one of the favourites. As the tournament progressed, they reinstated that position, winning all their six group matches, clinically beating Sri Lanka, Scotland, England. Afghanistan and Bangladesh put up a better fight, but never looked in hunt for a victory.
Australia was the only side that provided any scare to their maiden world cup quest. They won six matches on a trot, bowling out the opposition on five occasions. Yet, there are issues they need to address quickly. They have a strong batting line-up, running deep, with the likes of Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee coming at No 8 and No 9 in the line-up. However, they have failed to fire in this tournament. Brendon McCullum has hogged the limelight with his blistering knocks at the top of the order. While Martin Guptill made a big statement with a steely hundred in the previous game, Ross Taylor looking scratchy is cause of concern for the Kiwis. Kane Williamson, apart from his rescue act against Australia, has also looked short of match practice.
Unpredictability thy name is West Indies. In the past, they lost all the group games in the 1996 World Cup but belted tournament favourites South Africa in the quarter-finals. They have gone about in a similar vein in this tournament too. This is by no means a suggestion that they will usurp New Zealand. After starting the tournament on a dismal note — losing against Ireland — the Windies have come to party, be it their convincing win against Pakistan or Chris Gayle setting the tournament alight with his double hundred against Zimbabwe. India were made to sweat before they scraped through to the last eight on the final round-robin matchday. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule: Complete Fixtures & Time Table of all Cricket World Cup 2015 Matches
Even in Wellington, it’s a question of whether Jason Holder’s men can turn up and deliver performances that justify their potential. It’s a question of whether they can play the way they did against Pakistan or the manner in which they succumbed against South Africa. Like New Zealand, the Windies also have a batting order that runs deep. Their bowling needs to play to their strength like how India have in their seven games. Jerome Taylor has been spot on and can make inroads at the top of the order. West Indies have bigger worries though, dealing with the likes of Boult, Southee and Adam Milne. Also Read: ICC World Cup 2015 Quarterfinals Predictions here.
Squads:
West Indies
Jason Holder (c), Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle.
New Zealand
Brendon McCullum (c), Trent Boult, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan.
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