Of the two T20 World Cup co-hosts, any chance of a succeeding home nation at this World Cup is almost certain to come from the West Indies, with the United States making their debut in this competition.
While the Caribbean islands are traditionally a forced to be reckoned with in world cricket, having not even qualified for last year’s 50-over World Cup in India, West Indies have plenty to prove.
Just 48 hours before their World Cup opener in Guyana against 20th-ranked PNG, Windies scored 257 in a victory over Australia in their final warm-up match, marking the cards of many as a team to watch.
With two wickets inside 13 balls, they set an early tone for what could have been a convincing home victory, but allowed their associate nation opponents back into the game, posting a score that was by no means challenging, but at the very least, competitive.
A few pieces of sloppy fielding and not too much offered in the form of aggressive bowling allowed PNG hope, highlighted in the final ball when a no-ball from Joseph gifted three extra runs.
Losing opener Charles in the second over meant the Windies were tested and had PNG been more aggressive in their reviewing, they would have been 8-2 later that over.
Partnerships between Powell and King and, later, Chase and Russell eventually got Windies over the line, but with this being among the easier of West Indies’ Group C matches, much more will be needed later in the campaign.
Like they did against PNG, West Indies should, in theory, make light work of Uganda, but will by no means be certain of victory against New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Ahead of the win, Windies captain Rovman Powell said there was “expectation” on the nation to do well on home soil.
They will hope to become the first side to win the T20 World Cup as a home nation, but more performances like their meek win over Papua New Guinea means that progression into the Super 8s is by no means a certainty.
