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ST JOHN’s. — Once the undisputed kings of cricket, two-time champions West Indies head for the World Cup plagued by infighting, political intrigue and poor form.

The fear factor once generated by the world’s fastest and most intimidating battery of pace bowlers has given way to a pop-gun attack and a batting line-up which too often relies on the mercurial talents of Chris Gayle.

Until their dramatic one-wicket win in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, their previous three matches saw them swept aside by South Africa with the Proteas, one of the favourites for the World Cup, coasting to wins by 61 runs, 148 runs and nine wickets.

Where once the West Indies made history, now they are a footnote — their defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend saw them concede 439 runs, and take just two wickets.

AB de Villiers romped to the fasted ODI century in history off just 31 balls.

Three days later, the West Indies were bowled out for just 122. — AFP.