Predicting the West Indies ODI Team That Starts the 2015 World Cup

With a squad full of big-hitting batsmen, rapid fast bowlers and a classy spinner, the West Indies will be dangerous outsiders at the 2015 World Cup.

In Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy they have a succession of potentially match-winning batsmen.

The bowling isn't quite as strong but Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach are canny operators. In Sunil Narine they have one of the best spinners in the 50-over game. That's assuming of course, he avoids any further difficulties after being reported for bowling a suspect quicker ball.

Given that talent, it's a mystery why they're only eighth in the ICC World Rankings.

Bravo's side has been fairly settled in recent times but there are doubts about Chris Gayle's opening partner, the all-rounder to complement the skipper and the third seamer.

Read on to see who we think will be taking the field against Ireland in Nelson on 16 February.

Stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo.com.

ODIs 258
Runs 8,810; average 37.33; strike rate 84.04
Wickets 158; average 35.65; economy rate 4.75

Chris Gayle may be approaching veteran status but is still one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket. Capable of destroying even the best attacks, the left-hander remains the prize wicket for opposition captains.

The 35-year-old will be looking to improve on a poor record Down Under. In 17 ODI appearances in Australia, he has passed 50 just twice and averages 14.94.

Gayle is set to miss the forthcoming ODI series in India but is a certainty to start the World Cup as long as his hamstring trouble clears.

ODIs 61
Runs 1,785; average 31.31; strike rate 71.14
Wickets 6; average 9.16; economy rate 9.16

While Chris Gayle is guaranteed to start if fit, the identity of his opening partner remains to be seen.

Kieran Powell, Dwayne Smith, Johnson Charles, Chadwick Walton, Kirk Edwards and Lendl Simmons have all opened the batting in 2014. None has cemented a place though.

Leon Johnson is likely to be given the opportunity in India this month. If that experiment fails, the selectors will likely return to Simmons. The Trinidadian has a decent record as an opener, averaging 32.83 in 32 innings including one century and nine fifties.

ODIs 76
Runs 2,077; average 32.45; strike rate 70.86

The number three position is Bravo junior's to lose after some impressive performances in the recent series against Bangladesh.

The 25-year-old scored 53, 124 and 62 in his last three ODI innings, albeit against a weak attack.

He may not have the flash of some of his harder hitting colleagues, but Bravo could provide the glue in an innings where the big guns fail to fire.

ODIs 159
Runs 3,951; average 31.35; strike rate 72.89
Wickets 80; average 44.86; economy rate 4.77

Recently recalled to the ODI fold, Marlon Samuels looks set to return to the West Indies middle order.

The 33-year-old hopes that the latest opportunity will be the start of a lengthy spell in the side. He told Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner: “I am looking at staying on another two or three years to go hard and set the record straight with my talent. I still believe I haven't shown my full potential as yet. I had some good seasons consistently, but there is a lot to come.”

Despite not being able to bowl his faster ball, his spin could prove handy if conditions suit.

ODIs 112
Runs 1,598; average 24.96; strike rate 81.90

Denesh Ramdin has enjoyed a superb 2014. In 10 ODIs this year, the West Indies wicketkeeper has scored 443 runs at an average of 73.83. With centuries against England and Bangladesh, the 29-year-old is finally delivering on his undoubted talent.

Ramdin has thrived since being trusted with a move up the batting order and shown a new level of maturity since being given the Test captaincy.

He's set for a big World Cup.

ODIs 88
Runs 1,994; average 25.56; strike rate 95.17
Wickets 44; average 37.61; economy rate 5.55

There are few more dangerous hitters in the world game than Kieron Pollard. With three centuries and seven fifties to his name, the Trinidadian is yet another West Indian capable of rapidly changing a game.

Scoring his runs at almost a run a ball, the 27-year-old will be a serious proposition if the top-order can provide a decent platform. If he does come off, then watch out.

Pollard's bowling may not be from the top drawer but will be a useful option for skipper Dwayne Bravo.

ODIs 161
Runs 2,941; average 25.79; strike rate 82.49
Wickets 196; average 29.30; economy rate 5.39

All-rounders are valuable commodities in all forms of the game and in Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies have one of the best in the ODI format.

Capable of scoring centuries and producing match-winning spells with the ball, Bravo is a dangerous customer in the 50-over game.

The captain's form will be crucial if the West Indies are to mount a serious World Cup challenge.

ODIs 66
Runs 204; average 8.86; strike rate 89.86
Wickets 98; average 26.82; 4.80 economy rate

The oft-injured Jerome Taylor made a welcome return to the Test team against Bangladesh in September. Off the back of a pair of encouraging performances, the 30-year-old was called up for the forthcoming tour of India.

Taylor, who hasn't played an ODI since 2010, is a genuinely quick, wicket-taking threat.

He could yet make a late run into the World Cup reckoning if his body can stand up to the rigours of the international game.

ODIs 52
Runs 282; average 10.84; strike rate 79.43
Wickets 73; average 26.49; economy rate 4.10

Every successful one-day team needs a good spinner and in Sunil Narine the West Indies have a cracker.  Best known for his exploits in the T20 game, Narine is also a very handy ODI operator.

Currently ranked second in the ODI World Rankings, the Trinidadian offers control as well as wickets.

Narine was reported by umpires during the Champions League T20 with suspicions raised about his quicker ball. As long as he steers clear of further trouble, Narine will be one of the first names on the team sheet at next year's World Cup.

ODIs 88
Runs 343; average 12.25, strike rate 75.55
Wickets 112; average 29.16; economy rate 5.06

One of only two West Indian pacemen in the top 20 of the ICC Rankings, Ravi Rampaul is a likely starter in the World Cup opener.

The 29-year-old impressed during the recent series against Bangladesh and will be looking to cement his place with a good tour of India.

The Trinidadian seamer is certainly a wicket-taking threat but could prove expensive on unforgiving, Antipodean pitches.

ODIs 64
Runs 216; average 13.50, strike rate 52.17
Wickets 98; average 26.85; economy rate 4.90

Kemar Roach's career appears to moving be in an upward trajectory. The 26-year-old reached the top ten in the ICC Test rankings for the first time this month and is also the West Indies' top-ranked fast-bowler in ODIs.

Capable of bowling at genuine pace, the Barbadian is rapidly approaching a century of wickets in the 50-over game. He is the pick of the West Indian attack.