Injury concerns for West Indies ahead of Ireland tie

PROVIDENCE - The West Indies cricket team is grappling with injury problems ahead of their World Twenty20 opener against Ireland here Friday at the Providence Stadium.

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle said that injuries to Sulieman Benn, Jerome Taylor and Wavell Hinds have put the team on the backfoot. Fast bowler Taylor and veteran all-rounder Hinds have what Gayle described as shoulder and ankle “niggles” respectively.

But the major concern is over big left-arm spinner Benn, who hurt his bowling shoulder in the process of effecting a fine diving catch in Wednesday’s warm-up.

“Benn’s shoulder not looking too good as well. We are put back on the back foot a bit, so we will just have to wait and see what happens,” Gayle was quoted as saying by Trinidad Express.

The continued poor batting form of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin is also a concern for the team.

“I give them the benefit of the doubt to actually change things, change it around. Hopefully, this tournament will be the right occasion for it to happen,” said Gayle.

Gayle feels that lifting the title would be difficult, but not impossible.

“No team that has hosted the tournament has actually won it so it will be a big task for us to achieve but it’s possible. It’s special for us to deliver. We are actually home, the expectation is high. Based on the squad we have…We have the power to do it in bat and ball,” he said.