Samuel Badree new ball leggies could be key to West Indian T20 success

West Indies scored the highest total of the 2012 T20 world cup to date, only to lose the rain affected encounter. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels both score fifties to back the pre-tournament billing “favorites” to lead their side to 191. However the bowling department’s fraility and inconsistency was showed up by the merciless and cavaliers stroke play first from David Warner then by Watson and Hussey. After posting an imposing total the West Indian attack look spineless as both pace and spin felt the full brunt of the Aussies blitz. Not even the rain could spare the West Indian from defeat. 

Darren Sammy’s tactics on the day we found wanting, as one will wonder why Samuel Badree was not in the start line up. With two previous visits to the sub-continent Badree has developed into a threatening new ball spinner. Especially with David Warner opening the batting any captain should want to have as much spin at the left-hander. Sunil Narine, Fidel Edward and Sammy tried to keep things tight but the back up was non-existent. On a day when earlier wickets would have made a difference, Gibson and Co will use this defeat as a wake up call going into the final group match against the Irish.

The Irish who detest the term minnows, will be keen to bounce the “tournament favorites” to put more argument to the anti-minnow campaign. West Indies will be mindful to avoid another embarrassing display at a major tournament. Do not expect too many changes, one maybe two at most.  VelloCricket Team Predictor of Monday’s Do or Die Clash:

Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo,  Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Keiron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Fidel Edwards