Follow UsBoth West Indies and the USA have a point to prove after losing their first Super 8s game against England and South Africa, respectively. USA pushed South Africa close but eventually fell short by 18 runs in Antigua. The action moves to Bridgetown, Barbados, where the US will play their remaining two Super 8s fixtures, starting with the tie against the West Indies on June 21 (Friday).
Being co-hosts, the US, played all their group stage games in their country and in the Caribbean there seems to be more in it for the batters. However, US batter Steven Taylor believes the better bowling side on the day will take home the two points.
"The bowling part would be the most hard part because we've been coming from wickets more conducive for the bowlers and things like that," Taylor said ahead of the West Indies game.
"So, at the end of the day is we just have to work on our game - the bowlers more because I think the batters are loving the conditions here in the West Indies because normally is good wickets to bat on but at the end of the day it's good wickets so bowlers have to come up strong. So, whoever bowls the best mostly will win the game."
Taylor is not too fussed about the results as long as his side plays good cricket. They have registered wins over Pakistan and Canada in the group stages and pushed India close before giving the Proteas a run for their money.
"I would say we're playing good cricket and the team is gelling well together and at the end of the day we know that we're going to be the underdogs for all teams that we played against in the Super 8’s. So, we're just here to play good cricket and if we go in, we win - if we lose, we lose," Taylor who has scores of 0, 12, 24 and 24 in the T20 World Cup so far, said.
When asked about the bowler from West Indies he is looking to take on, he was quick to respond, taking Akeal Hosein's name, given the two have played in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in the past.
"Good friend of mine. We played Tridents together in CPL for two years I know most of his tricks so for sure I'll be hunting him first of all," the southpaw said.
While Taylor was born in the US, he has a Jamaican background, which, for him personally, adds a little more flavour to the contest agianst the West Indies. Will he be singing the West Indies and the US anthems when he takes the field?
"It's a wonderful feeling. I'm representing my parents and my Jamaican heritage. At the end of the day, I might be born American but I speak more Jamaican than I speak American sometimes," Taylor said.
"So, it's a great feeling playing against West Indies, growing up, watching [Brian] Lara, Chris Gayles, all the big fans and to have the chance of playing against them now and in a World Cup stage on a high stage of life, I might beat them might be a great feeling it's a great feeling."
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