England are in a must-win situation as a loss here would see them going out of the tournament. Not only England, but India and Bangladesh too would be anxiously awaiting the outcome of the game. India are on seven points, Bangladesh on six and England on five, with all having one game to play. If England lose on Thursday, both the sub-continental teams would qualify even if they fail to win their last game. These factors only add to the pressure that the Englishmen are already reeling under.
The high of the win against South Africa here and the tied game against India in Bangalore has been totally wiped out by crippling defeats at the hands of Ireland and Bangladesh. Add to it injuries to Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad — who have already flown home — the fitness issues with Graeme Swann and Ajmal Shahzad and the situation turns grim for skipper Andrew Strauss. West Indies will enter the MA Chidambaram ground with a much clearer mind compared to their opponents. With three wins in a row under their belt, the Caribbean side, on six points from four games, will look to seal their quarter-final berth before the game against India.
It’s difficult to overlook the weaknesses in the England lineup and the strengths of the West Indies. The Englishmen, one of the pre-tournament favourites, have crashed to unexpected defeats and won (or tied) games they seemed like losing.
Pietersen’s hernia operation and Broad’s side-strain have severely depleted Strauss’s resources. And the fragile line-up will be thoroughly tested by the West Indies on a wicket where shot-making has proven to be a herculean task. Swann is yet to recover completely from the stomach bug though Shahzad caught it on the eve of the match.
Pacer James Anderson, who has had a poor campaign, might be dropped and the England captain admitted that he is tempted to play two spinners. It means Swann and Micheal Yardy could be their mainstay, given the lack of teeth in the English pace attack.
The Chepauk track has seen alarmingly low totals of 69 and 171 by Kenya and England respectively. England, in fact, managed to defend 171 against South Africa and that doesn’t bode well for Thursday’s match. Though it will be a day-night affair and the wicket has been covered and grass rolled into it, its nature isn’t expected to change in a few weeks. At most, teams could aim for 220 and be confident of defending it.
West Indies are on a high having come out unscathed from the ‘tricky’ matches against Ireland and Bangladesh. The opening pacespin duo of Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn has proven to be a handful for most and skipper Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard have bowled their slowmedium stuff effectively.
The batting too has clicked for the West Indians, though Chris Gayle hasn’t hit top gear yet. However, they haven’t been tested or put under pressure yet and the only match in which they met a ‘strong’ opponent — South Africa — the West Indies failed to put up a fight.
The West Indies have a chance of beating England and securing the knock-outs berths for three teams. However, England have shown in the recent past that they can overcome the odds and they have the players to do so. They have been on the road for five months, since the Ashes, but England wouldn’t want to rush back home so soon.
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