Former St. Elizabeth Technical, Jamaica and United States cricketer, Richard Staple (left), in conversation with West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell at Munro College in Malvern recently. - Photo by George Henry

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:

RICHARD STAPLE, who was a promising middle-order batsman for Jamaica in the 1990s, has said the West Indies have the talent to produce the goods and win the coming Cricket World Cup (CWC).

"I obviously believe they have the team to do it and I will be cheering for the West Indies team. They can bring back the cricket to where the West Indies once was," said Staple, who also played for and captained the United States.

Staple believes India, who won three games against the West Indies in the recent four-match one-day series in India, stand a good chance, and Australia and New Zealand are the teams to watch but the West Indies could be the first team to win the World Cup at home.

"I think India are looking pretty good. They had a good run against the West Indies and they are going to be in the reckoning but I am sticking with the West Indies. With players like Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and all the other guys, I think they are going to do very well," Staple said.

Bowling in good hands

He also believes that the bowling is in good hands, with the likes of Jamaicans Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor doing well, backed up by Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Ian Bradshaw and Marlon Samuels.

"The bowling seems to be coming around. With the likes of Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell, who has been doing well over recent times, I think they have what will be required to take the most prized trophy in cricket," the 37-year-old said.

He also had good ratings for Samuels.

"What I have seen recently with Marlon Samuels is some amount of consistency and it has brought out the best in him because he has always had the talent. I think he will be an outstanding player in the tournament," he said.

In the meantime, Staple said cricket was still not well established in the U.S. - where he lives - as the game is only played in about four states, and it is not as structured as in the Caribbean.

Staple said the game was played mostly on rubber pitches, and that called for major adjustments in the play of those who are from the Caribbean and who intend to play in the U.S.

The now-retired Staple believes that playing on artificial pitches probably contributed to the U.S. not qualifying for next month's World Cup.

"When you have to play on the mats and then you have to go and play in good competitions on proper wickets, it's a major adjustment ... and so that could well be the main factor why we are not in the World Cup," said Staple.