Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2019 begins today in England with matches to be played on grounds there and in Wales. Ten teams will vie for the coveted cup with the winner becoming the undisputed kings of cricket’s most prestigious competition. For some of the teams and players, it was a long and difficult journey to be a part of the esteem and enviable squads which will grace the fields. Those efforts now have a chance to pay off.
Expectations for spectacular performances is rife as this particular tournament is branded to be the most competitive. This is not surprising given how well many of the teams and players have performed in various competitions in the run up, especially within the last year. This augurs well for fans and if the expectations were to be delivered then all will be in for a treat with the game becoming the eventual winner.
There will be moments of glory and moments of disappointment for both players and fans, after all, only one team can win. With that a given, one basic expectation would be for all the players to perform to potential. That can result in both graceful, the not so graceful and innovative but effective cricketing shots; miserly or expensive bowling and spectacular fielding with mind-blowing, acrobatic and gravity-defying catches.
Simultaneously, those will be accompanied by the pulsating beats of drums fusing with various other deafening sounds with a pageantry of costumes all of which have come to epitomize the evolution in the how the game of cricket is being watched today. It has become a truly family event as evident closer to home in what the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has delivered.
In this part of the cricketing world, optimism remains high for the cup coming this way after the West Indies failed to do so over the past forty years having last won in 1979. Despite the many challenges in regional cricket over the years, the next few weeks will see West Indian fans, both in the region and in the diaspora, united in their desire for Jason Holder, the team’s Captain, lifting the championship trophy at Lord’s on July 14.
The joy, pride and the strong bonds of togetherness that will invoke among West Indians across the globe, would be unimaginable. History reminds when Guyanese Clive Lloyd lifted the trophy in the inaugural competition in 1975 and the one that immediately followed in 1979. Since then, fans have been craving for a repeat while having to endure the ups and downs of the team which showed moments of glory and moments of utter disappointment. Sadly, the latter outnumbered the former in recent years.
CWC 2019 offers a new slate and motivation for the West Indies which teased a return to the dominance it commanded during the glory days of regional cricket as evident the late 70s and 80s. Then, they were simply unbeatable. As time progressed, various factors led to a waning of success and the team beaten time and again even by those considered to be minnows of the game.
That led to despondency among even loyal fans and empty stands for regional competitions aside from the CPL. To put that decline into perspective, the West Indies, for the first time in CWC history, could not automatically qualify and were forced to play in the qualifying stages with the minnows in order to make it into the final ten. And made it; they just.
With a formidable team, at least on paper, the West Indies have a very good chance of capturing the title. However, that can only be possible by them playing as a unit with each individual taking responsibility to deliver on their potential.
Here Guyanese fans, while rooting for the team, will cheer on the explosive and immensely talented, Shimron Hetmyer. He is the lone player from Guyana as against five in 1975 and four in 1979 and one of the players that global fans expect much of. If he were to deliver on that expectation, West Indies chances to win, will increase. While he may have faltered in the earlier part of his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) stint this year, his final innings showed the class he brings and which could intimidate opposing teams.
The host England carries into the competition the title of favourites maybe just above India. One downside of such labelling is the burden to perform and which can take a toll if things doesn’t go to plan. The West Indies come in without that particular burden allowing for a freer mindset to play to their best while outplaying others in the process. The same can be said for first timers, Afghanistan who have impressed in every aspect of the game over the recent years.
With each team actually carrying a burden, i.e. the expectation of their country, there will be little room for mistakes. The West Indies have much to learn from. CWC 2019 could reveal how impacting those lessons over the years might have been. Can they break the forty-year losing streak in CWC? Time will inform. Go Windies!
