England lost 3-2 to West Indies in their recent T20I series and have only won four of their past 12 matches in the format, but Powell believes their familiarity with Caribbean conditions will work in their favour
West Indies captain Rovman Powell believes "world-class" England have a strong chance of retaining their T20 World Cup crown next year, stating they will be "difficult to beat" if they get comfortable in Caribbean conditions.
The 2024 event is being hosted by West Indies and USA next June, with the recently concluded five-match series between the two sides serving as vital preparation for the defending champions.
The series did not go England's way – West Indies won 3-2 – with their middle order short on runs and their pace attack struggling against the hosts' wealth of big-hitting batting options.
However, they did fight back from 2-0 down to level the series 2-2 and flexed their own batting firepower, successfully chasing 223 in the third T20I before pilling on 267 for 3 in the fourth – their highest total in a men’s T20I.
England are the reigning T20 World Cup champions [Isuru Sameera/Getty Images]
West Indies won the five-match series between the sides 3-2 [Ashley Allen/Getty Images]
"England is a world-class team and they have world-class players to come into their squad, so that is always going to boost them," Powell said.
"All they need to do is get familiar with the conditions. Because they are a quality team, if they get familiar with conditions, they will be difficult to beat."
His words echo those of captain Jos Buttler and Reece Topley, both of whom have opted to take the positives out of the series defeat. Buttle hailed the lessons learned in a "good series" and believes the fact they've "had a really good look" at Caribbean conditions will stand them in good stead for their title defence.
Many England fans will be less optimistic after witnessing a downturn in white-ball form under head coach Matthew Mott, who took over the role in May 2022.
Since lifting the T20 World Cup last November, England have won just four of their 12 T20Is. In 50-over cricket, meanwhile, Mott has overseen 16 wins in 36 matches, including winning just three of their nine matches at the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Powell did, however, identify a weakness in Buttler's side, adding: "Two games back-to-back England beat us badly as a bowling group. They scored 70 in the powerplay, totally wrote us off.
"[But] we realised something about English batters. When you put them on a good wicket, they are very good but once the wicket starts to assist the bowlers, it become a little bit tricky."
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.