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T20 World Cup 2024, WI vs USA Match 46, Super Eight, Group 2 Match Preview

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The big picture: WI must avoid defeat

This is not the match the tournament was expecting, but it is one that the tournament expects nonetheless. Each co-host of this T20 World Cup found a way to blast through the group stage in different ways, and with different surprises. The West Indies cemented themselves as legitimate title contenders with an unbeaten record in their group and a crushing 104-run thrashing of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the US’ progress hinged on dreams of Super Over heroics against Pakistan and inclement weather in Florida that denied Pakistan a chance to rise from the canvas.

But the group stage was suddenly a distant memory, with both teams experiencing the cold, unforgiving reality of the Super Eight. West Indies’ hopes of a third title and their first on the domestic stage suddenly look more precarious than they were a match ago, as England were back at their best in St Lucia and beat them. Another loss would put them on the brink of elimination.

West Indies will also have to consider how to replace top-order batsman Brandon King, who was forced to withdraw from the match against England with an injury to his side. King’s run totals so far this tournament have been meager – just 63 in four group matches – but he looked the most dangerous player against England. King was only able to score 23 off 13 without conceding a run, but West Indies started well. When King was replaced by Nicholas Pooran, the team lost some momentum.

More than anything, this is the first time the West Indies will be under pressure with less margin for error. The United States is winless since its upset against Pakistan but shows no signs of slowing down and came very close to beating South Africa in their opening Super Eight match before ultimately losing by 18 runs.

Aaron Jones’s USA also need a win to keep any realistic hopes of qualifying alive, but they will know the expectations are high of their opponents. The match against South Africa was the USA’s worst bowling performance on a tough track, but it still put the South Africans on some nerves. Against a West Indies team that was far from their best with either bat or ball against England, the USA will know that an improved bowling performance will give them a realistic chance of keeping their dream campaign alive.

Form Guide

West Indies: LWWWW (5 most recently completed matches, most recent first) USA: LLWWL

Russell and Taylor in the spotlight

Andre Russell has been one of T20 cricket’s most valuable players for the better part of the past decade, but he has been uncharacteristically quiet for much of this World Cup. Two unbeaten cameos against Papua New Guinea and Uganda were fine displays of his performance with the bat, and while he continues to pick up wickets, what the West Indies really need is some late-game explosion. Part of that is simply because the top-order batsmen have made him less of a necessity, but he was given out too easily in both his matches against New Zealand and England. As a veteran of two West Indies World Cup victories, he will know that he will be expected to have a bigger impact on his team in the second half of this tournament if he is to go all the way again.

Steven Taylor’s rise is proof that American cricket has the ability to attract American-born players to the sport. A precocious rising star since his teenage years, he has been a part of American cricket for over a decade. This World Cup was meant to be his crowning glory, but while Aaron Jones, Andries Guth and Saurabh Netravalkar have flourished, Taylor has struggled to make a name for himself as a starter at the top of the batting order. Born to Jamaican parents, he has played for the West Indies and was once stripped of the US captaincy for choosing to play in the CPL rather than in the US World Cup qualifiers. Now he’s playing for a team he once declared his intention to play for, but the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Team news

King’s absence means West Indies need a replacement at the top of the batting order, with Shimron Hetmyer likely to be called up.

West Indies: 1 Shimron Hetmyer 2 Johnson Charles 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk) 4 Rovman Powell (captain) 5 Roston Chase 6 Andre Russell 7 Sharfaen Rutherford 8 Romalia Shepherd 9 Akeel Hossain 10 Alzarri Joseph 11 Gudakesh Moti

USA captain Monank Patel has not played since the Pakistan game because of a shoulder injury and is a doubt for this match, while Jasdeep Singh endured a horrific game in which he was given up 28 runs off his first five balls but Shadley van Schalkwyk could be back in the mix.

united states of america: 1 Steven Taylor 2 Andries Guth (wk) 3 Nitish Kumar 4 Aaron Jones (captain) 5 Corey Anderson 6 Shayan Jahangir 7 Harmeet Singh 8 Noushush Kensinghe 9 Shadlee van Schalkwyk 10 Ali Khan 11 Saurabh Netravalkar

Pitch and conditions

Bridgetown has had some low scoring matches against Namibia and Oman at the start of the tournament but has a relatively high scoring record compared to other teams in the tournament. It will be humid tonight with a low chance of rain.

Statistics and Trivia

  • The United States is seeking to become the first non-ICC member to reach the semifinals since Kenya in 2003.

  • The West Indies have played two T20 World Cup matches in Barbados, both in 2010, with one win and one loss, a loss to Sri Lanka and a win over India.

  • Obed McCoy and Aqeel Hosin are both close to the wicket-taking milestone, one and two wickets away from claiming 50 wickets in T20Is respectively.

    • Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000



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