The Windies XI
A side much different from the one that stunned England in the World T20 final in 2016, Windies have introduced some fresh faces while global T20 superstars as the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard are missing, despite the shunned trio claiming to have shown great interest in being a part of the squad. The ever worsening relations between the players and the board don't bode well for the struggling Caribbean side ahead of the ICC World Cup in England next year.
Windies XI: Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.
Brathwaite will be looking to reinstate some faith in his credentials as a captain after a lacklustre start to his leadership role. Coming off from a decent back end of an IPL season, he will be full of confidence to put up an inspired show in front of a packed house at Lord's.
Russell makes a comeback to international cricket after serving a 12 month doping suspension. He too has had strong performances to his name representing the Kolkata Knight Riders, his power hitting and wicket taking abilities entirely unaffected by the long absence.
Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis form one of the most explosive opening stands in the world, with four individual centuries in T20Is, the two southpaws are perhaps the biggest match-winners in the game once they tee off. The veteran duo of Denesh Ramdin and Marlon Samuels will have the job to stabilize the batting in case of any turbulence before Russell comes out to wield the long handle.
In the bowling department, they have gone purely for format specialists. Samuel Badree will be touted to take the new ball as is customary to be later followed by Ryad Emrit and Kesrick Williams who are renowned for their suffocating lengths and unaccommodating pace that doesn't allow the batsmen to get under the ball whatsoever in the death overs.
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