BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Head coach Phil Simmons says the West Indies cricket team is “moving in the right direction” after a comprehensive four-wicket win over world champions Australia in the Tri-Nation series on Monday.West Indies bowlers restricted Australia to 265 for seven and spurred on by an aggressive 92 from Marlon Samuels and three important partnerships, chased down the target with four overs remaining.
The homeside has now registered their second win in the series after beating South Africa in the opening match and losing their second game to Australia.
“We realise that we didn’t bat properly against them last time so we had to bat properly this time so in that way we will be happy with ourselves because the batting came to the party today,” said Simmons.
“That’s what’s been lacking for us. So it’s a good feeling to know you beat Australia who are world champions and number one team in the world so it means that we are moving in the right direction.”
Simmons has high praise for the top order for outstanding batting which ensured the win at Warner Park in Basseterre.
Opener Johnson Charles chipped in with 48 from 38 balls, left-hander Darren Bravo carved out 39 while Denesh Ramdin struck 29 and opener Andre Fletcher, a run-a-ball 27.
“The pressure is being put on the top four to make sure we setup whatever we have to do at the bottom,” said Simmons.
“We know how devastating we can be at the end of an innings with the players we have so the top four have been asked to put their dancing shoes on, make sure that we are in a position to make sure that the latter part of the batting can do what they do and they have done that today and they have seen us through.”
Simmons says Windies’ win over Australia is expected to boost their confidence as they bid for a place in the final.
Australia sit at the top of the ICC ODI table while the home side have been languishing at number eight.
“It is always a confidence-booster to beat Australia. I think our confidence has been good throughout the series,” said Simmons.
“Going into the first game it was tight because we had not played a proper one-day series for a while but after the first game everybody settled down. We had a bad second game but we played well today and I think that’s confidence-booster enough.”
West Indies will attempt to keep alive their hopes of playing in the final of the series when they play South Africa today.