Ambrose Optimistic About West Indies’ Prospects at T20 World Cup
The West Indies, one of only two teams to have clinched multiple men’s T20 World Cup titles, will need to bounce back from recent disappointing performances at ICC tournaments to become the sole three-time champion of the event.
They failed to progress beyond the first round at the latest T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 and didn’t qualify for the previous year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Usain Bolt and Other Sports Celebrities Get First Glimpse of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium
However, Ambrose is optimistic about a turnaround in the West Indies’ fortunes under the leadership of Rovman Powell. He cites their T20I series victories over cricketing giants South Africa, India, and England in the past 14 months as proof of this.
The legendary fast bowler is confident of a robust performance from the West Indies in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with the USA.
“We have a very, very good team,” Ambrose stated at the unveiling of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York earlier this week.
Latest timelapse video reveals Nassau County International Cricket Stadium nearing completion
“As we speak, the West Indies players are in Antigua at a camp preparing for the start of the T20 World Cup which is just a few weeks away.
“I believe that if the guys play consistent and smart cricket, we can clinch the trophy.
“It won’t be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice, so we are going to try and make it three.
“No other nation has ever won it on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well and I am hoping they can do it,” he added.
Carlos Brathwaite narrates the thrilling tale of the last-minute change in the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final that led to one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
The West Indies are in Group C at the T20 World Cup and will face the champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier Papua New Guinea first in Guyana on June 2, followed by their remaining opening round matches against Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan.
Ambrose anticipates some surprises at this year’s T20 World Cup, acknowledging that every team boasts a wealth of talent.
“I admire many cricketers (at the T20 World Cup) and I am looking forward to them performing well,” he said.
“As a proud Antiguan and West Indian, I want the West Indies to win.
“It won’t be easy because in T20 cricket, every team has an equal chance of beating any other team. That’s just the nature of T20 cricket.
“It’s going to be exciting, but I am going to be rooting for the West Indies,” he concluded.