The last that one saw Romario Shepherd, 76 T20 internationals, in this very ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup was back on February 11, which is when the West Indies disturbed England’s momentum and overcame a tough side at the Wankhede. It was a contest where the promising and powerful 31-year-old Guyanese all round cricketer hit some vital runs down the order when West Indies most needed and then backed up his batting performance with a useful wicket. Since then, it’s been nearly a fortnight and we’ve seen Romario Shepherd not in the active playing XI. That is when two crucial games, each against Nepal and Italy, have resulted in a win for Romario’s West Indies.
So the big question up ahead of their forthcoming contest against Zimbabwe, yet to begin at Mumbai’s Wankhede is this- where is Romario Shepherd and when can he be expected in the team especially when it’s evidently clear that he’s not sidelined by a serious injury? In fact, anything but!
As a matter of fact, head coach Daren Sammy has clearly mentioned without anything being in the grey that Romario Shepherd could likely return to the team as “everybody is available!”
This single statement is quite confidence inspiring at this time and leaves the maroon fan back home excited and in no uncertain terms.
The West Indies are brimming with confidence and with useful runs needed down the order especially with the clear understanding that anytime one or two of their big hitters may depart sans useful runs, someone like Romario Shepherd becomes very vital in that playing order.
The presence of someone like Romero alongside Rutherford and Holder makes the West Indies in possession of a powerful trinity that can fire easy blows to over the fence.
What would you think?
Moreover, there’s a powerful reminder of just why Romario Shepherd is particularly handy in these times and additionally, in this very format.
Here’s how.
Not only did Shepherd begin his World Cup with a heroic hat trick, that too, against Scotland against whom they didn’t really play all that much in such high octane tournaments, Romario picked up five wickets.
That’s a rather incredible tally of wickets in the briefest format of the ICC tournaments.
Having said that the soon-to-begin Zimbabwe contest at Mumbai is a high octane contest. One in which the West Indies can afford to put no foot wrong.
Someone like a Brandon King, whose bat has been rather quiet of lately, has to come strong. And must the West Indies not take Zimbabwe, riding high on the consistent form and winning mantra, like a lame pushover.
Under the electrifying captaincy of Raza, the West Indies can expect to be up against a few tricks and to tackle Zimbabwe’s current state of confidence, they will have to wear a bolder, stronger and most importantly, more cohesive look!
