The famous British weather is doing its best to spoil what has been an absorbing start to the Cricket World Cup but despite suffering an untimely abandonment against South Africa on Monday, West Indian spirits don't appear to have been dampened and there is good reason to think they are worth backing against England on Friday.
Jason Holder's side have been a much-improved outfit in the last 12 months or so, in all forms of the game, and it is worth remembering that they pushed England all the way when drawing this winter's ODI series between the two sides 2-2.
There was some terrific cricket played by both sides in that series and although it is England who have home advantage on Friday, the West Indies have played some fine cricket since arriving on these shores, beating Pakistan handsomely before only narrowly losing a close encounter against Australia and then seeing their match with South Africa fall foul to the weather having made early inroads with the ball.
A crucial factor in the West Indies' upturn in fortunes has been their bowling, particularly in the pace department, and Holder has been very smart in sensing that with the white-ball offering very little assistance in the way of lateral movement, pace, aggression and good use of the short ball is going to prove a more fruitful tactic for the seamers at this World Cup.
The West Indies employed that tactic wonderfully well when bundling out Pakistan for only 105 in their opening match before then reducing Australia to 79-5 a few days later, and although they failed to drive home their home advantage that day, the bowling attack certainly looks to have enough potency to trouble England.
Left-arm paceman Sheldon Cottrell has proven a real find and has picked up five wickets in this tournament already while the success of Oshane Thomas, Holder and Andre Russell means that the excellent Kemar Roach might have to warm the bench again on Friday.