What have we learnt from the summer of T20?

Machel looks at the health of the T20 squad two months out from the World Cup

If the purpose of the T20 summer of cricket was to establish a core heading into the World Cup it could be argued that to all intents and purposes the West Indies have achieved their goal.

The result of the three series vs South Africa, Australia and Pakistan were always going to be irrelevant as the greater importance was to establish which combinations worked and who was best prepared to execute required roles.

In that regard and in spite of the virtual washout of the Pakistan T20 series we are closer to understanding the make-up of the West Indies squad heading into the T20 World cup.

Openers

Like a lot of the team this could have been written before the series started and little has changed to alter opinions.

Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons are the two incumbents and Andre Fletcher courtesy of a late hand in the abandoned T20s vs Pakistan will be the support act.

Questions marks will continue to be asked of Lendl Simmons due to his dot ball percentage (particularly outside of the PP) but he is the best placed RHB to take advantage within the PP so can consider himself undroppable.

There will however continue to be clamour for Chris Gayle to open so as to create space for Shimron Hetmyer but having only received the opportunity to do so late on in the summer and only then because of injuries it seems likely Gayle will be a lock at three.

Chris Gayle

The naysayers will continue to demand Gayle ride off into the sunset but given West Indies persisted with Gayle at #3 throughout the majority of the summer it is almost a lock in that Gayle will start the World Cup there and form will dictate if he is removed at some point in the tournament.

The reality is that WI will gamble on the proviso that when Gayle fires West Indies win – but he no longer has to fire for West Indies to win. Some still seem determined to measure 2021 Gayle against prime GOAT Gayle but his role in this side is different and he will be given more time to adapt to it.

The Engine room

As alluded to earlier, much like the majority of this article, this could have been written before any of the games this summer.

The following line up is almost a 100% guarantee - 4. Pooran 5. Russell 6. Pollard 7. Allen 8. Holder/Bravo or 9. Bravo

I would go as far to say that there is no one outside of the squad that can break into any of these positions unless there is a freak injury. The only real question mark pertains to whether the balance of the engine room is affected by the bowling line-up and if Gayle does end up opening.

The notable missing name is Shimron Hetmyer but his pick is totally dependent on what happens with Gayle and injuries otherwise.

Should Gayle and Hetmyer somehow end up playing in the same starting XI – one of Dre Russ/Pollard/Holder or Bravo would likely need to feature in the top 4 to prevent the glut of LHBs walking to the wicket.

However Jason Holder could arguably  find his place at risk. There is no guarantee Holder is a locked in starter especially if the pitches in UAE spin a lot and Sunil Narine declares himself available for Maroon duty.

But for now we must assume #4 - #9 will be as above.

The Bowlers

Assuming we have the engine room correct Russell/Holder/Bravo and Allen are available to bowl 16 overs if needed. This does not even take into consideration either Gayle or Pollard as options.

However this again highlights the point about Holder not necessarily being locked in as the remaining two slots #10 and #11 at the time of writing are almost certainly for Hayden Walsh Jr and Obed McCoy.

This presents two key problems. If Sunil Narine is available he has to play. That does not necessarily mean that Hayden Walsh has to be dropped – I can definitely forsee a situation where both play in tandem.

Even if Narine doesn’t play there is a concern about who the ‘strike’ bowler is in the PP. Obed McCoy has been a revelation but that isn’t his role and neither should it be one for Dre Russ.

Some will argue that Holder should do it but if Sheldon Cottrell is fit and firing on all cylinders one could certainly make a strong claim for him to play instead.

CPL/IPL

All of the names mentioned thus far will be part of the immediate 15 in direct contention for starting spots come the opening game of the T20 World Cup and barring any injuries I would be shocked if anyone else can force their way in.

Of course bigger squads are allowed at this years World Cup so in principle ‘squad players’ can be added but with regards to actually starting a game – that seems very slim.

That said we still have two major franchise tournaments on the horizon that will answer a few questions.

With respect to CPL all West Indians should be paying very close attention to two type of performances.

Andre Fletcher’s spot as back up wicket keeper and/or opening batsman is tenuous. Although not limited to the following players, should any of Shai Hope, Rahkeem Cornwall, Chadwick Walton or Johnson Charles have a strong tournament they may yet leapfrog him.

Similarly Oshane Thomas and Fidel Edwards did not pull up trees as strike bowlers therefore someone like Alzarri Joseph could yet force his way into the reckoning if he shows up this year.

Many will mention names like Sherfane Rutherford or Keemo Paul etc but as previously alluded to the engine room is stacked. There is barely room for an in-form Carlos Braithwaite much less those two.

Lastly where IPL is concerned, the remainder of this edition is crucial not because we care who wins but as the tournament takes place directly before the World Cup and in the same country it is imperative that our IPL stars find form there. 

If they can enter the World cup in form I would be shocked if West Indies don’t end the year as the three time world T20 champions.

Machel St Patrick Hewitt