Windies Will Shock A Few People At The World Cup, Says Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan believes that this Windies have the potential to ‘shock a few people’ at the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Windies’ performance in One-Day Internationals in the last few years have been nothing less than dismal and appalling. The Caribbean outfit, which had won the first two editions of the World Cup, have not a bilateral ODI series since 2014. They have won just two of their last nine ODIs and are currently languishing at ninth spot in the ODI rankings.

They could not qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and made it to this year’s World Cup only through the Qualifiers last year. However, former England skipper Michael Vaughan feels Windies can spring a surprise in the upcoming World Cup and has warned others to be not surprised with it. Vaughan’s comment has come in the wake of Windies’ recent performances.’

The mood in the Windies camp is upbeat at the moment. They recently beat England in the Test series and have done well in the ongoing ODI series. Earlier this week, they had nearly chased down an improbable 419 before being bowled out for 389.  Moreover, the Caribbean outfit is bolstered by the return of some of their star players.

Darren Bravo, who didn’t play international cricket for close to two years, made a comeback to the fold for the limited-overs series in Bangladesh last year. Chris Gayle is playing in the ongoing ODI series versus England and has already scored two tons while Andre Russell has returned too. The likes of Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have already proved their credentials.

“I’ve got a feeling this West Indies side will shock a few people at the World Cup,” Vaughan said in a Radio Show.

Vaughan said that with Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Evin Lewis coming in the WI squad, they have got serious power.

“They’ve got three players to come in: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Evin Lewis. ‘West Indies are a side who will shock a few people at this World Cup. They’ve got serious power.”

He, however, backed England to lift the World Cup at home.

“England have got everything required to win the World Cup except for these moments of madness,” Vaughan said. “The India side around the time they won the 2011 World Cup didn’t have the day England had in Barbados on Friday. The Australia side that won in 2015 lost the odd game but they didn’t have moments like England do on a consistent basis.”

The World Cup will get underway on May 30 with hosts England taking on South Africa in the tournament-opener at the Oval. Windies, on the other hand, will start their campaign on May 31 against Pakistan.