Lloyd says Windies can spring surprise

Sydney, Feb 12 (IANS) Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has cautioned critics against writing off its World Cup chances just yet.

The twice winnners Windies have been given little hope of again claiming cricket’s biggest prize, against the backdrop of their poor run of recent form and the number eight ranking in ODI cricket, reports CMC.

However, Lloyd argued that several underdogs -- including the West Indies in the inaugural tournament in 1975 -- had already won the World Cup, and said once the Caribbean side gelled their performances, they could pose a threat.

"When I see the players here, they must feel proud to be here. This is the showpiece of cricket. I want to see them happy, I want to see them go out there and give their all - blood and guts - because if they win this World Cup - I know a lot of people don’t give us a chance but you never know,” said Lloyd, who was at the helm when the West Indies won in 1975 and again in 1979.

“We weren’t supposed to be winners in 1975, Pakistan were not supposed to be the winners in Melbourne (in 1992), India weren’t supposed to be the winners (in 1983) and they came out of a situation where Zimbabwe had them 80 or seven (in a group stage match) and Kapil Dev played a masterful innings."

The West Indies are coming off a 1-4 drubbing in a five-match series against South Africa, and also slumped to an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat to England in their first official warm-up match for the World Cup.

The side is also missing the likes of senior all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and is being led by new installed captain Jason Holder, himself a new-comer to international cricket.

Lloyd, the current chairman of selectors, said, however, the West Indies could defy the pundits and produce good results.

“You never can tell. We have talented cricketers. If we can just get it together, we can give a good account of ourselves and surprise a lot of people,” he stressed.