West Indies World Cup squad: Key Questions

1. Chris Gayle, the experienced opener, has been in extraordinary form in one-day international cricket, striking two centuries and two fifties from four innings against England in West Indies' most recent series. He has carried the form into the IPL, and is guaranteed a place West Indies starting XI come the World Cup.

Partnering him in the series against England was debutant John Campbell, who showed promise but failed to build on it. West Indies will also have the option of Evin Lewis, who has a reasonable ODI record but hasn't played an ODI since July 2018.

2. Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard are two game-changing all-rounders at West Indies' disposal. Both have been in outstanding form in the Indian Premier League too, and the selectors will be tempted to bring them into the fold for the World Cup. Both bring a similar offering to the table with the bat, but Russell has emerged a better bowler in recent times.

3. In a batting unit heavy with stroke-makers, Darren Bravo stands out as a more conventional run-accumulator. On the one hand he can lend stability to the explosive batting order, but some might argue that his style won't suit the big-hitting demands of English surfaces.

4. Shai Hope has performed wicket-keeping duties for West Indies in the recent past. But over the course of a long tournament, West Indies might want to include a back-up in Nicholas Pooran, although his batting numbers in ODI cricket haven't been too impressive. With several high-quality players set to become available for World Cup, the selectors will have something to think about on the wicket-keeper's front.

5. Since the 2015 World Cup, spinners have come to dominate the bowling department – four of the six leading wicket-takers since then are spinners. But West Indies spinners haven't quite cashed in on the trend – Ashley Nurse has been their most prolific spinner with 42 wickets from 45 games at 43.26. Despite not having great numbers, he seems a certainty for the squad courtesy of his ability with the bat as well. But Windies might want to have at least another spinner in the squad.