Sir Viv: Little hope for WI

Sir Viv: Little hope for WI
Associated Press / Andres Leighton, file

Legendary former West Indies Captain, Sir Vivian Richards has little hope of the regional team winning this year’s ICC World Cup in England.

He identified the hosts, along with five-time winners and reigning champions Australia as among the favorites but has overlooked the struggling West Indies.

Sir Viv told reporters in India last week that England has played well in the past but they have always fallen short at the last moment.

He said Pakistan and India are two teams that can defeat anyone, noting that Australia is another great team.

The former Master-Blaster said there are four or five teams that have the potential to win the 2019 World Cup.

West Indies are ranked ninth in the ICC one-day rankings, a position that forced them to play a qualifying tournament last March in order to reach the May 30 to July 14 tournament.

However, they are to improve on their ODI form, winning just three of 11 games last year in bilateral series. West Indies have not won an ODI series in four years.

Sir Viv, a member of the World Cup winning sides of 1975 and 1979, said he was hopeful the Windies would improve their fortunes.