By Delvon McEwan
Former First Class player Neil Barry says it will be a tough journey for West Indies to make it to the 50 over World Cup but urge the fans to have faith in the inexperience unit as they endure a challenging period of cricket in the region.
West Indies are presently engaged in a five match One Day International Series against World number three ranked India. A series victory would enhance their chances for automatic qualification for the global event. Failing to win the series the team’s most likely route into the tournament will come from the 10 team 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Ireland, which will allow entry for two additional teams.
However, like former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, Barry does not believe it will be an easy task for the lads from the Caribbean. “It is foreign conditions in Ireland….it will be cold there, pitches different from those in the region and spinners might not be as effective in those conditions,” Barry said.
Nevertheless, Barry, a self-confessed patriot of West Indies cricket, claimed it would take an extremely good effort for the guys in Maroon Caps to beat Ireland and even Scotland in those conditions and earn one of the two additional spots.
However, Barry foresees a competitive series between India and the West Indies due to events that unfolded prior to the clash.
According to the former Cricketer turn Commentator, limited over cricket in the Caribbean always brings intense rivalry and due to this, he is certain of a fierce battle between the sides.
He noted that the visitors will have to bounce back from their loss to arch-foes Pakistan at the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in England and internal issues that have created a cloudy environment within their cricket. Given the facts they will aim to execute at a high level as they seek to demolish West Indies, who are ranked nine.
Barry does not believe the inexperience West Indian unit is going to be feeble in this five match series. “The West Indies trump card in recent times (the spinners) will not be as effective against the subcontinent team but, the young unit will put up formidable performances to prevent a lopsided affair,” the former national player predicted.
