West Indies have the potential to make an impact

Ian Bishop previews West Indies' chances in the World Cup

In the beginning they were the almighty force, but that was 35 years ago and the current West Indies team doesn't send out ripples of fear ahead of the tenth edition of the World Cup. With some relatively new faces in the squad, familiarity, either with each other or their public, may not have run its fingers through their hair long enough to give them a distinct style (although it should be remembered that Clive Lloyd's lustrous team of 1975 was at pretty much the same stage when that tournament began). The West Indies are without Brian Lara, who retired after leading the team four years ago, and Chris Gayle, who was rarely enthusiastic about leading the sides, has been replaced as captain by Darren Sammy, who is loud and proud about his passion for the game and the region.

The Test team in the making may not yet be something to shout about, but there are some reassuring saplings sprouting in the ranks. Kemar Roach, named man of the series for the three-Test series versus Sri Lanka, invokes something of Malcolm Marshall. Darren Bravo brings Lara to mind. Brendan Nash carries the dependable aura of Larry Gomes (and Shivnarine Chanderpaul) and Adrian Barath, who made a hundred in the warm-up game against Kenya, might bring something of Rohan Kanhai. Add the potential explosiveness of Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, and the there could be some highly entertaining cricket when they take the field for their opening encounter against South Africa on February 24.

World Cup pedigree

The West Indies were the first two champions in 1975 and 1979 and were the finalists when India won it in 1983. They have slid down the pecking order since then, a solitary semi-final place in 1996 being the highlight of subsequent campaigns.

Recent form

West Indies have not had any dramatic shifts in form for more than a decade. In the last few months, their biggest series has been a trip to Sri Lanka under new captain Sammy. The Test series ended damply at 0-0 as rain washed out practically all the matches, but there were encouraging signs as Gayle made a triple hundred in the First Test, Darren Bravo made a string of half-centuries, and Roach was the leading wicket-taker. However, they lost the rescheduled one-day series 2-0, with first game being washed out as rain continued to plague them.

Prediction

In the first round of matches, West Indies play South Africa, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Ireland, England and India. Not to underestimate their opponents (early upsets are part of the World Cup thrill; remember Ireland?), but they should hold their own against half of those teams. That said, with India, South Africa and England amongst the favourites to win the cup, the West Indies will be happy to make it to the knockout stage.

Watchability

The team is an intriguing blend of potential and power. Gayle can be stupendous when he gets going; Pollard is pure, powerful entertainment and Dwayne Bravo can, some of the time, be all things on a cricket field. Add to that the fresh talent found in Darren Bravo, Barath and Roach, the dependability of Chanderpaul, and the hunger of a recalled Ramnaresh Sarwan, and you have a team worth staying up all night for.

Key players

Kemar Roach does not have much international experience, but whenever he's stepped out on the field, he has attracted attention. He made his Test debut in July 2009 in a ramshackle series with Bangladesh marred by a players' strike, and emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series, a feat he repeated against Sri Lanka. Roach does many delightful things with the ball and he has demonstrated an aggressiveness that harks back to an Ambrose era. Unfortunately, in the continued absence of Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor, he has been hampered by a lack of support at the other end, and the team has not operated at full throttle with its bowlers for some time now,

Six years younger than his brother Dwayne, Darren Bravo's family loves to boast that he is the most talented of the brood. Darren has startled many onlookers by his physical resemblance to his cousin Lara, which was exacerbated by his technique and stance bearing an uncanny likeness as well. A genuine find for the West Indies, Darren is full of form, style, confidence and a sense of the different demands of each phase of play. Despite his youth, has a mature head on his shoulders and will add solidity to the batting along with Chanderpaul.

If one had to characterise West Indies cricket over the past 15 years or so, Chris Gayle would be the epitome of its nature. He appears entirely indifferent to discipline and authority, is languid in his movements and not afraid to bare his teeth at anyone who dares to challenge him (especially if it comes from officialdom, like the WICB). Yet he obviously has a zest for life and cricket, and once it is ignited, he can be brilliant, as he showed in making 333 against Sri Lanka. Twenty20 has been his playground for a while, long enough for his name as an entertainment brand to be bigger than a retainer contract with the West Indies board. So he knows what it is like to put on a good show. If he can give the team the kind of starts he is capable of producing, making the knockout stage will become a lot easier.