LONDON:
Six days ago when the NatWest triangular series opened in Bristol, the West Indies and England were favourites to reach the final. No one, including the bookies that listed them as outsiders, gave Zimbabwe a chance.
Today, however, with three of the nine qualifying matches out of the way, Zimbabwe, with victories over both contenders, boast a perfect four points from two matches, they are in front of the West Indies and England who, after their rain-ruined- contest, are on one point each, and the pressure is on the two early favourites.
Match number four is on today, it is the West Indies versus Zimbabwe at Canterbury, and although like England they are not yet in a desperate position, it is a crucial assignment for captain James Adams and his band of not so merry men.
Based on the head-to-head statistics, the West Indies, with eight victories against one loss, are way in front, and the feeling in the Windies camp is that although they lost by six wickets at Nevil Road they will win this one, even the score, and improve their chances of qualifying for the final.
With a batting line-up of Sherwin Campbell, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Ricardo Powell and Adams himself, the West Indies should be good enough to post a good total against an attack which, according to news coming out of the Zimbabwe camp, will include top bowler Heath Streak but which will definitely be without Henry Olonga who is on the way home due to an injured ankle and possibly Mlukeki Nkala and Pommie Mbangwa who are also nursing injuries.
Victory, however, will depend on how well they bowl, and despite the fear going into the match against England, that is the reason why the West Indies are oozing confidence.
Unlike their poor performance in the first match against Zimbabwe, the West Indies pacers bowled well against England at Lord's later down the road, if Corey Collymore, Nixon McLean, Franklyn Rose and Mervyn Dillon repeat that performance today, the West Indies should come out on top.
As confident as they are of enjoying the sweet taste of revenge, the West Indies will have to be at their best to beat the team which knocked off India and South Africa on their way to the Super Six round of last year's World Cup and who are bubbling with confidence after comfortable victories over both the West Indies and England.
In the absence of their top pacers, Zimbabwe have been well served by medium-pacers Bryan Strang, Neil Johnson, and Gary Brent, left-arm spinner Dirk Viljoen, and Grant Flower whose left-arm spin is more effective than it looks.
By Tony Becca
Senior Sport Editor
