5 West Indies players to watch out for in the 2015 World Cup

Can the Caribbean kings become Emperors of the World again?Accusations, counter-accusations, and unceremonious dismissals – it has just not been a happy six or seven months for the West Indian cricket team. From player revolts over payment disputes to large-scale debates over the commitment of the likes of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo and the banning of the wily Sunil Narine, the once-mighty superpower of world cricket now stands on the very brink of fading away without a whimper.But there are five men who will do whatever it takes to restore national pride and bring the zing back into the side. A new-look team, a new captain, a couple of veterans who have seen it all before: it just doesn’t get any better than this.Here’s a look at the Fab Five to watch out for:

#5 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle: Will the Big Man deliver?

If the Windies are to secure their third World Cup title this time around, Chris Gayle is going to be their chief weapon. An experienced hand at the highest level, the big-hitting left-hander’s free-flowing style of batting immediately evokes comparisons with the Jayasuriya-Kaluwitharana pair of 1996. With Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons ready to support him as his opening partners (depending on the think-tank’s strategy), the ice-cool southpaw is the biggest hope they have for putting up tall scores right throughout the tournament.

Those deceptive off-breaks that Gayle delivers have been known to take out the most stubborn of rival batsmen. Coupled with his relaxed demeanour, the ever-smiling Jamaican would look to make the most of what, in all likelihood, might be his last appearance in this quadrennial extravaganza. As for us ardent cricket fans, the spectacle of the big man sending the ball into orbit will once again be a sight to behold!

#4 Marlon Samuels

Marlon Samuels: Last World Cup hurrah?

Marlon Samuels, controversy’s favourite child, seems to have matured into one of the finest all-round players of his generation, something that the beleaguered West Indian squad desperately needs in ODI cricket’s greatest showpiece. Yet Samuels exudes a confidence rarely seen in veterans and only in raw form in the rookies. He has come a long way from the match-fixing allegations, which nearly derailed his international career, surviving all of that to cement his place in the side with a string of commanding performances.

The 34-year-old right-hander from Jamaica hits the ball with tremendous power and is capable of consistently clearing the fence towards the end overs. His footwork against the spinners is a huge asset, and he plays the speedsters with equal aplomb. With the ball, he has been known to break partnerships, despite being banned from sending down quicker deliveries in December 2013. Nevertheless, with the fire and attitude that the Jamaican possesses, he’s the ideal No. 3 for the Calypso kings.

#3 Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons: Fighting fire with fire

Lendl Simmons more than handy as an opening batsman, where he can partner the flamboyant Chris Gayle to give the Caribbean side a flying start. But his necessity doesn’t end there. Not only does he attack quite well in the initial overs, but also grafts with the patience of a monk, keeping the scorecard ticking.

Simmons can also be used as a reliable seam option, given the nature of the tracks that will be on offer in Australia and New Zealand. His razor-sharp fielding, of course, is an additional asset; in the absence of Kieron Pollard, it will fall to him to man the boundaries as well as perform close catching duties. I guess Uncle Phil will be quite pleased and hopeful!

#2 Denesh Ramdin

Denesh Ramdin: More than a point to prove

To put it simply, the wicket-keeper batsman from Trinidad hasn’t done much justice to his potential. Fluid behind the stumps and extremely handy with the bat, Denesh Ramdin has played some crucial innings in both Test and ODI cricket. Now all he needs to do is bring both aspects of his game together if the Windies want to secure the trophy they’ve been chasing since 1987.

Test captaincy seems to have done him good – he’s much more responsible and aware of his role in the side. Nevertheless, he is still prone to inconsistencies, and he will be keen to put them behind him. Along with Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle, the batting line-up will also depend upon his shoulders - and the Windies would hope that he delivers.

#1 Jason Holder

Jason Holder: Exuberance of youth, but leadership will be under scrutiny

This will be a trial by fire for the 23-year-old Barbadian fast bowler. Barely a couple of months before the World Cup started, the embattled West Indies Cricket Board made a surprising decision to sack fiery all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as captain of the side. What’s worse, they chose a youngster with limited experience in the shorter format to replace a veteran of many a battle.

Holder’s impressive height and ability to bowl at speeds of upto 140 km/hour make him a lethal force on the lively tracks of Australia and New Zealand. He is no mug with the bat either – a fighting half-century in his solitary Test appearance is sheer proof of that. However, he will be keenly scrutinised when he takes the field as the leader of a Caribbean side long fallen from its pedestal of Champions. For an already fragile side, his calmness, level-headed nature and persuasiveness might just prove to be the tonic that the doctor ordered for West Indies cricket.