In what promises to be a decisive clash in England’s opening Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup, all eyes will be on Akeal Hosein's duel with Phil Salt and Jos Buttler during the power play. Hosein, a 31-year-old spinner from Trinidad, has emerged from the crime-ridden streets of East Port of Spain to become a vital component of the West Indies team. His unique left-arm spin, which blends the characteristics of an inswing bowler with significant drift and turn, has made him a standout performer in this tournament.
Hosein has mastered the power play, consistently opening the bowling for West Indies and taking six of his nine wickets in the first six overs. His economy rate stands impressively at four runs per over, reflecting his ability to maintain control during a typically volatile phase of the game. His variety—whether it's sliding the ball into right-handers, moving it away from left-handers, or beating both edges of the bat—has kept batsmen guessing and provided West Indies with crucial early breakthroughs.
No team has successfully dismantled Hosein’s bowling yet. His control in the powerplay, especially with limited fielders allowed outside the circle, buys West Indies economical overs early in the game. Against England’s right-handed opening pair and their numbers 3 and 4, Hosein's breakthroughs could be pivotal. Should he break through, promoting Moeen Ali could disrupt the sequence of right-handers.
Hosein's journey to the West Indies team is equally compelling. Raised in the tough Laventville neighbourhood, he recounted to ESPN Cricinfo how he adapted to living amidst gang violence. He shared a chilling memory of sitting with friends when they noticed a red laser dot from a gun on his friend's shirt, prompting them to flee. In another incident, Hosein's status as a cricketer saved him during a robbery; a gang member recognised him and called him "Lara," advising the assailant to spare him. This recognition in his community ultimately kept him safe.
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine played a crucial role in Hosein’s development, offering him shelter and helping refine his skills. England’s current assistant coach, Kieron Pollard, also influenced Hosein's progress. Hosein spoke about his constant efforts to stay ahead, acknowledging the need for continuous improvement as opponents study and adapt to his techniques.
The strategic question for England is how Salt and Buttler will approach Hosein. Will they position themselves on the leg stump to drive the ball back or take a stance on the off stump to whip it away? Theoretically straightforward, this task is much tougher in execution.
Salt, known for his six-hitting prowess, has yet to make a substantial impact in the tournament despite a high boundary rate. Buttler, after a four-ball duck against Namibia, showed promise against Oman and Australia. If either batsman can find form on what is considered the best batting track of the World Cup, it could significantly influence the game.
For England, the Super Eights signal a shift in the tournament's intensity. Playing in front of a home crowd in St. Lucia, accustomed to being supported by travelling English fans, they now face formidable competition after victories against lesser teams. West Indies, known for their aggressive T20 batting and versatile bowling attack, pose a significant challenge, with South Africa looming next in line at the same venue.
Daren Sammy, the West Indies coach and two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, has crafted a team that mirrors the one he led in 2016, with Hosein fulfilling a similar power play role as Samuel Badree did then. West Indies have been dominant, winning all their group matches and setting the highest score of the tournament against Afghanistan, where Nicholas Pooran came close to scoring the event’s first century.
England’s recent track record in ICC tournaments has been mixed, and their performance against West Indies and South Africa will be a key indicator of their mental fortitude under pressure. The fitness of Liam Livingstone, who has been dealing with a side strain, remains uncertain. Should he be unavailable, Will Jacks is likely to return to the XI.
Mark Wood, eager to bowl on a pitch where he once claimed five wickets in a Test match, could be crucial. However, the strategy might lean towards using pace variations and defensive bowling, especially if the openers manage to navigate through Hosein's challenging spells.