🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: S8 - Match 46: USA vs WI @6:00 AM IST🏏 - Page 2

Big picture: WI must avoid defeat

This isn't a match the tournament expected, but one it deserves all the same. The co-hosts of this T20 World Cup found ways of getting through the group stages, in different fashion and to varying degrees of surprise. West Indies' unblemished record in the group punctuated by a 104-run hammering of Afghanistan cemented their status as legitimate title contenders. The USA's progress, meanwhile, depended on a dream of a performance against Pakistan that culminated in Super Over heroics, as well as inclement Florida weather that guaranteed Pakistan would not be offered the opportunity to get back up off the canvas.

But the group stages are a distant memory all of a sudden, and both sides have experienced the cold, unforgiving reality of the Super Eight. West Indies' hopes of a third title and first on home soil suddenly looks much shakier than it did one game ago, after a reprieved England rediscovered their best form in St Lucia to put them to the sword. Another defeat would put them on the brink of elimination.

West Indies also have to assess how to replace top order batter Brandon King after he suffered a side strain and was forced to retire hurt against England. While runs have been scarce for him this tournament - just 63 in four games in the group stages - he looked at his most dangerous against England. He was unbeaten for 23 off just 13 as West Indies flew off the blocks, with his side briefly losing momentum when he was replaced by Nicolas Pooran.

Above all, this is the first time West Indies find themselves under the pressure of their margin for error diminishing. The USA may not have won since that upset against Pakistan, but have shown no signs of fading away tamely, and briefly looked like running South Africa extremely close in their first Super Eight game before ultimately succumbing to an 18-run defeat.

Aaron Jones' side, too, need a win to retain realistic hopes of qualification, but they will be aware the weight of expectations remains on their opponents. The game against South Africa was the USA's weakest bowling performance on a belting track, and still gave South Africa a few jitters. Against a West Indies side who weren't really close to their best with either bat or ball against England, the USA will know an improved bowling performance on their part gives them a realistic shot at keeping their fairytale campaign alive and kicking.

Thanks for the tag and thread, Soni!❤️

Thanks for the tag Soni.

May the best team win.

Cheers..

Hey folks. Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's coverage of this co-host derby - USA taking on West Indies in Bridgetown. West Indies looked ominous right through the group stage, dispatching both New Zealand and Afghanistan with relative ease, but did suffer a defeat against England in their first Super Eights match, and now look to get their campaign back on track.

USA, meanwhile, have been the darlings of the competition so far, their own campaign built on the back of two wins - they opening victory against Canada, and then the fantastic Super Over win against Pakistan in Dallas. Do they have another upset in the tank?

Looks like we're all set for a prompt toss and a prompt start, despite there being some concern that another shower could roll through.

Sid Monga, our reporter at the ground, says hello:

"Good evening from the lovely if slightly grey Barbados. We had one brief shower an hour ago but it is not likely to have any impact on the start of the game or the rest of it. It finally feels like a World Cup after having covered all day games so far. Good crowd in already, and many walking in. Two pitches to the right of the one which hosted India vs Afghanistan. Basically as close to the centre strip as one can get on a six-pitch square. Carlos Brathwaite having a chat with Alzarri Joseph, who has just marked his run-up."

Uh oh. "Covers coming out again," reports Monga. Some drizzle seems to be falling.

Odinlass: "Good morning. I am torn between the USA winning at least one game in the Super Eights vs WI being possibly knocked out if they lose today. Uff!" Yes, it feels like West Indies are too good a team not to challenge for that final four. But I hear you re: backing the underdog.

While we await the toss, here is Danyal Rasool's preview. On the injury front, Brandon King's side strain will likely keep him out of the XI, and Shimron Hetmyer (who was earlier giving the groundstaff a hand with the covers, I'm told), might come in.

Before the start of the tournament, not many predicted them to get past the Group Stage, but USA have been a tough nut. The World Cup debutants kickstarted their campaign with a convincing win over their neighbours, registered a famous win over Pakistan in the Super Over and made India toil hard for their victory. And, in the Super 8 fixture against South Africa, they got pretty close to the Proteas' total. With the equation coming down to '28 runs needed 12 balls', the game was on a knife-edge before experience triumphed over inexperience. USA will be eager to make a big statement against the two-time World Champions. Can Rovman Powell and Co. bounce back? The atmosphere in Barbados will be fantastic. Let's hope we are treated to a cracking contest...

Two teams that suffered losses in their respective opening Super 8 games will face off against each other. In all likelihood, this is a virtual do-or-die contest. Hello everyone and a warm welcome to this Group 2 encounter. It's the battle between the co-hosts - West Indies vs USA. The Windies, who were clinical in the Group Stage with four successive wins, suffered a loss at the hands of the defending champions. They stuttered a bit with the bat and England hunted down the target quite convincingly as the WI bowlers failed to create enough pressure. They'll be without their regular opener - Brandon King - and it'll be interesting to see if they slot in Hope for his spot or alter the batting line-up to accommodate Hetmyer. Although they are the favourites coming into this contest, they won't dare to take their opponents lightly.