SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) — Outstanding former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has cautioned critics not to write of the Caribbean side’s World Cup chances just yet.

The Windies have been given little hope of winning cricket’s biggest prize, against the backdrop of their recent poor run and the number eight ranking in ODI cricket.

However, Lloyd argued that several underdogs — including the West Indies in the inaugural tournament in 1975 — had already won the World Cup, and said once the Caribbean side gelled their performances, they could pose a threat.

“When I see the players here, they must feel proud to be here. This is the showpiece of cricket. You never can tell (as) we have talented cricketers,” said Lloyd, who was at the helm when West Indies won in 1975 and again in 1979.

West Indies are coming off a 4-1 drubbing in a five-match series against South Africa, and also slumped to an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat to England in their first official warm-up match for the World Cup last Monday.

The side is missing senior all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard and is being led by a newcomer to international cricket, Jason Holder.

West Indies were due to face Scotland in their second warm-up game last night before taking on Ireland next Monday in their opening group stage fixture at Saxton Oval in Nelson in New Zealand

They will also clash with the likes of defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates in a tough Group B campaign.