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HOBART: Two-time West Indies champions will not be using the services of their celebrated names at the T20 World Cup but captain Nicholas Pooran feel the presence of star power does not guarantee success in a team sport.
Not many are giving the West Indies a chance with as many as 12 players, who featured in the World Cup 12 months ago, not traveling to Australia for various reasons.
The team will miss the likes of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons who have all retired from international cricket. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are also not here.
“I think it has to be a balance with experience and younger players. If you look at it, there were a lot of big names when we won those two World Cups, but we also had a lot of big names in last year’s World Cup. , too, and we didn’t qualify.
“To answer that question, it plays a role. I think not just the big names, but experienced players, and it’s not about any particular players, but it’s about our team performance.
“Obviously Australia won last year and they didn’t have too many big names, but obviously they had a team and it proved to be enough for them to win the World Cup,” Pooran said ahead of their opening game against Scotland Monday. .
Most of the squad members have not played in Australia, making the challenge for the West Indies more difficult.
“Yes, it will be a challenge. But our guys are confident. We have been here for more than two weeks now. I think the guys are ready to go and acclimatising to these conditions,” said Pooran.
“A lot of these guys haven’t played in Australia before. It will be the first time, but the guys are confident, they’re happy. The preparation has been really good, and we just can’t wait for our game tomorrow.”
Winning the trophy for a third time will be special, said the southpaw.
“Obviously for this group here it’s a new group, new faces, a lot of younger players in the team. For us to obviously win this World Cup, that would be our biggest achievement as individuals.
“We are underdogs in this tournament as much as we have won the tournament twice, and a lot of people, a lot of media you see, a lot of people don’t even think we can qualify either. So it will mean a lot for us,” Pooran said. added.
Not many are giving the West Indies a chance with as many as 12 players, who featured in the World Cup 12 months ago, not traveling to Australia for various reasons.
The team will miss the likes of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons who have all retired from international cricket. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are also not here.
“I think it has to be a balance with experience and younger players. If you look at it, there were a lot of big names when we won those two World Cups, but we also had a lot of big names in last year’s World Cup. , too, and we didn’t qualify.
“To answer that question, it plays a role. I think not just the big names, but experienced players, and it’s not about any particular players, but it’s about our team performance.
“Obviously Australia won last year and they didn’t have too many big names, but obviously they had a team and it proved to be enough for them to win the World Cup,” Pooran said ahead of their opening game against Scotland Monday. .
Most of the squad members have not played in Australia, making the challenge for the West Indies more difficult.
“Yes, it will be a challenge. But our guys are confident. We have been here for more than two weeks now. I think the guys are ready to go and acclimatising to these conditions,” said Pooran.
“A lot of these guys haven’t played in Australia before. It will be the first time, but the guys are confident, they’re happy. The preparation has been really good, and we just can’t wait for our game tomorrow.”
Winning the trophy for a third time will be special, said the southpaw.
“Obviously for this group here it’s a new group, new faces, a lot of younger players in the team. For us to obviously win this World Cup, that would be our biggest achievement as individuals.
“We are underdogs in this tournament as much as we have won the tournament twice, and a lot of people, a lot of media you see, a lot of people don’t even think we can qualify either. So it will mean a lot for us,” Pooran said. added.
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