Clash of heavyweights as defending champions take on hosts
Written by I Dig Sports
Match details
West Indies vs England
June 19, St Lucia, 8.30pm local time
Big picture:
England and West Indies are each competing for an unprecedented third T20 World Cup title, and the events at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Beausejour - a venue named in honour of the man who delivered the hosts those first two titles - could go some way towards confirming the readiness, or otherwise, of these two very real contenders for the crown.
Quite apart from the power of their recent victories, the range of West Indies' match-winners has propelled them firmly into the title mix. From Andre Russell's 71 from 29 balls against Australia in Perth, to Brandon King's 79 from 45 against South Africa in Jamaica, via Roston Chase and Johnson Charles, and all the way through to Sherfane Rutherford's innings-salvaging 68 not out against New Zealand and Nicholas Pooran's ballistic 98 from 53 balls against Afghanistan, they've time and again showcased a batting line-up with complete faith in each other's attributes, and an ability to stand up when called upon.
Form guide
West Indies: WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
England: WWLWW
In the spotlight - Phil Salt and Gudakesh Motie
Go hard or go home. That has been Phil Salt's mantra throughout his T20 career, and right now, his unrelenting approach at the top of England's order has never been more valuable. After flitting around the periphery for several seasons, Salt's international breakthrough came against this same West Indies team back in December, when his back-to-back centuries in Grenada and Trinidad carried the attack back to the world's most aggressive batting line-up, and reminded England of the fearlessness that they had so clearly mislaid in their 50-over World Cup defence. Given the truncated nature of their 20-over campaign to date, it's hard to judge exactly how the middle-order is tracking, which means that impetus at the top could be all the more important as they seek their first major scalp of the campaign.
Team news
Not a lot of concerns for West Indies after a dominant display against Afghanistan, although they do have a handful of selection conundrums. Roston Chase and Shai Hope are competing for the same middle-order berth, while Romario Shepherd missed the last match for paternity leave, but is due back with the squad in good time for the match. He could slot back in ahead of Obed McCoy.
West Indies (possible): 1 Brandon King, 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Shai Hope/Roston Chase, 5 Rovman Powell (capt), 6 Andre Russell, 7 Sherfane Rutherford, 8 Akeal Hossain, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Obed McCoy/Romario Shepherd.
England mixed it up a touch after the showers in Antigua had reduced their Namibia match to 11 overs, with Sam Curran and Chris Jordan both included to offer a wider range of death-bowling options. Both could keep their places, with Jordan's death bowling and extra batting giving him an edge over Mark Wood. Will Jacks also seems likely to come back into the XI, potentially down the order at No. 6, with Liam Livingstone missing training due to a sickness bug - but having recovered from the side niggle he suffered against Namibia.
England (possible): 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (capt & wk), 3 Jonny Bairstow, 4 Harry Brook, 5 Moeen Ali, 6 Will Jacks, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Mark Wood/Chris Jordan, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Reece Topley
Pitch and conditions
This will be another outing for the belter of a surface on which West Indies racked up 218 for 5 against Afghanistan on Monday, so a high-scoring contest is in prospect. The dimensions are a touch lop-sided, 63 metres on one square boundary, compared to 72 metres on the other, but the prevailing wind tends to blow to the longer side, so the big hitters can expect some bang for their buck.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
"It's good that we're starting here and actually we play one game on it, before the start of the Super Eight. We're a little bit accustomed to the bounce and accustomed the wicket. Hopefully that would suit us a little bit more than the Englishmen."
West Indies captain Rovman Powell wants his team to make use of having already played on Wednesday's strip
"I think maybe the West Indies would be hopefully trying to get their own back for our fans that were so incredible they'll try and rally them and create this cauldron of an atmosphere tomorrow night. It's going to be incredible."
Reece Topley predicts strong St Lucian support after England's fans outnumbered the locals in December's T20I series
Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket
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