Interim head coach Richard Pybus has a lot of confidence in the fortunes of this West Indies team that has been doing fine under the captaincy of Jason Holder. Men from the Caribbean are currently levelled 1-1 in the ongoing five-match ODI series against England and could well give stiff competition to most teams in this year's ICC Cricket World Cup as well. 

"I know the right West Indies combination with a fully focused side can beat anyone on their day," Pybus was quoted saying. "I wasn't at the World Cup qualifiers but, with the group of guys we have now, we feel confident could take down anyone on their day."

His side is ranked ninth in the ODI rankings but what Pybus continues to take a lot of heart from are the welcome returns of Darren Bravo and Chris Gayle. The experienced duo and their presence can only be good for the young players like Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer. 

"I can't speak on behalf of the selectors but I think Chris has put forward a very resounding case," he said. "He's just class really. It's always great having guys in your side who are a bit scary for the opposition who know full well what they can deliver."

Gayle struck a fine hundred during the first ODI and followed it up with a fluent half-century in the second at Barbados. His power-hitting maybe waning. But in him, West Indies has a player with 103 Tests and 286 one-day games on their side.  

"In those first two games, Chris was getting a feel for a spongy wicket batting first. It can be a game of two halves in Barbados," Pybus added. "He was playing himself through. But, as we have all seen in T20, he can attack that first powerplay brutally. On good wickets, he'll be going hard pretty early."

(Inputs from AFP)