The fear factor once generated by the world's fastest and most intimidating battery of pace bowlers has given way to a pop-gun attack and a batting line-up which too often relies on the mercurial talents of Chris Gayle.
Once the undisputed kings of cricket, two-time champions West Indies head for the World Cup plagued by infighting, political intrigue and poor form.
The fear factor once generated by the world's fastest and most intimidating battery of pace bowlers has given way to a pop-gun attack and a batting line-up which too often relies on the mercurial talents of Chris Gayle.
Until their dramatic one-wicket win in Port Elizabeth last month, their previous three matches saw them swept aside by South Africa with the Proteas, one of the favourites for the World Cup, coasting to wins by 61 runs, 148 runs and nine wickets.
Also Read: West Indies legend Viv Richards heaps praise on South African big-hitter AB de Villiers
South Africa hit back winning the series 4-1 with a 131-run win in the finale.Where once the West Indies made history, now they are a footnote, their defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg last month saw them concede 439 runs, and take just two wickets.
AB de Villiers romped to the fasted ODI century in history off just 31 balls. Three days later, the West Indies were bowled out for just 122. The West Indies need an in-form and motivated Gayle at the World Cup where they will face defending champions India, Pakistan, South Africa, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates in the opening pool games.
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The 35-year-old Gayle has played 263 ODIs with 8,881 runs to his name but his recent form has been poor. He has just one half-century in his last 17 innings and seems to thrive only in the Twenty20 format where he has become an international batsman for hire.
Gayle was out for nought off the first ball he faced in the final game against South Africa at Centurion and there remain questions over his attitude after he accused selectors of victimisation for dropping Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup squad.
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 "West-Indies cricket (File photo)")
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