*WEST INDIES VS SCOTLAND SUPER SIXES MATCH 3 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The West Indies very well know how a loss against Scotland feels like. They have experienced it before at the T20 WC 2022 and the memories off it, will be fresh. WI otherwise also, do not have good memories of this tournament anymore. They are coming on the back of two humiliating losses to Zimbabwe and Netherlands respectively, two sides which are much inferior to theirs on paper. WI are most certainly not doing any justice to the truck loads of talent their team possesses and are on the brink of elimination from the World Cup itself because they will be starting their Super Sixes journey with 0 points in the bank. With haunting experience coming back to bite them, they will contest against Scotland, who’ve won 3/4 games this tourney.
Scotland have competed well and their scoreline so far justifies it. Despite falling short against Lanka, they have shown good form throughout and have dominated at times as well. Their wins against Oman and UAE were convincing and showcased their good level of preparations. And their 1 wicket triumph over Ireland was just a case of Scot knowing how to handle pressure like champions. They will be more than ready to pounce on this morale less Windies and we, as fans, could be treated to a classic with an exciting Scotland led by Berrington locking horns with the Carribean boys who’d be low on confidence. Only time would convey how perfectly the Scotts overcome this opportunity.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope(c)(wk), Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Roston Chase, Akeal Hossain, Alzarri Joseph
Such a strong side on paper, with batting all the way till no11 and 6 bowling options. WI would feel devastated, being forced to start off with 0 points in this stage of the tournament. Their batting has been good all this while with Pooran averaging nearly hundred with two tons next to his name and skipper Hope also shining with a fantastic average of 65 with a high score of 132. The two will once again have to lay a strong base and give their own bowlers a decent score to defend. The troika of Charles-Brooks-King have had their share of success this tourney but haven’t been at their impactful best with all of their averages under 35. WI fans would hope for a show from this trio heading into this game, which is a must win one for the Windies.
The Windies failed as a bowling unit against Netherlands and it was not a one off affair where their bowlers lost the plot. All their workhorses other than the prime quick Alzarri have been averaging over 30 and leaking runs at a fair amount. Only Joseph with an average of 28.5 with 8 wickets up his sleeves has note worthy performances while the others have found it tough to find the right balance between their economy rates and their wicket taking abilities. Scotland have batted well all this while and WI’s bowling has blown hot and cold, this could shape up to be an exciting battle with the Scotts having a slight edge to start off with.
*SCOTLAND PROBABLE XI:*
Christopher McBride, Matthew Cross(wk), Brandon Mcmullen, Richie Berrington(c), Tomas Mackintosh, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Jack Jarvis, Chris Sole, Alasdair Evans
Chris Greaves had a game to remember for Scotland vs Srilanka even though his side suffered a heavy loss. He first picked up four wickets which included the key ones of DeSilva and Shanaka, then came back to haunt Srilanka with a fighting 56 off just 41 balls. He failed to get dismissed till the very end which gives us a glimpse of how hungry he is as an allrounder, something which he is expected to bring to the table vs WI tomorrow in a game where a win would be an icing on the cake.
Berrington has what it takes to lift his side and march towards an awe inspiring win vs Windies. He has led well and most importantly, hasn’t lost his tempo while batting as he averages a good 51 this multi-team event. Scotland fans would expect him to come clutch in a game where stakes are high.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WINDIES:*
Highest run getter- Brandon King/Shai Hope/Nicholas Pooran
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Jason Holder
*FOR SCOTLAND:*
Highest run getter- Richie Berrington/Matthew Cross/Chris Greaves
Highest wicket taker- Mark Watt/Chris Sole
*FOR THIS GAME:*
WestIndies to win