Walsh backing WI to make final

Former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh is optimistic the regional team can make a big impact at the forthcoming World Cup.

Test cricket's highest wicket-taker feels Carl Hooper's men will surprise those who have not given West Indies much of a chance.

"I expect them to go all the way and I would love to see West Indies in the final," Walsh told NATIONSPORT yesterday.

"Once we get to the final, the better team will come up trumps. We have to play some good cricket and I am backing the boys to make it to the final."

West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979, have not qualified for a final since 1983.

They have been placed in Pool B alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Kenya, Bangladesh and Canada, and some reckon they will have a tough time to emerge among the top three in the group to advance to the Super Six stage.

"I like the position they're in - where nobody is paying them much attention," Walsh said.

"We will go in as the underdogs or outsiders, which is good for the team. They have a nice, balanced squad. If everybody play as well as they played on the last tour and we bowl just a little bit better, I think we have a very good chance."

A veteran of three World Cups, Walsh is in Barbados to play in a match organised by the Variety Club of Barbados to raise funds for the construction of an autism centre.

The match was scheduled for Carlton Club last night.

The former West Indies pacer, who captured 519 wickets in 132 Tests between 1984 and 2001, said the major challengers to West Indies at the World Cup would be defending champions Australia and hosts South Africa.

"If you are playing in South Africa, you cannot write off the home team. Australia and New Zealand are playing good cricket and Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan have a way of turning it on and off.

"All the teams are good, but the top three everybody is going to be watching are Australia and South Africa as the top two, and New Zealand, one of the strong contenders," Walsh said.

"Those are the top three everybody is going to be watching, but I personally think West Indies can surprise all of them."