LONDON, England – Dwayne Bravo said he fancied West Indies chances of winning the second One-day International against England today at the Kia Oval here.
The Windies vice-captain said it was important that the visitors execute their plans well and seek to draw level in the series. West Indies trail 0-1 in the three-match series, following a 114-run defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis Method in the first ODI last Saturday at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
“The result in the first ODI was not what we wanted, but we still showed good signs,” he said.
“This game is a ‘must-win’ for us in order for us to be alive in the series and we have to sit down and plan properly and then make sure we execute our plans properly.”
He said: “I fancy our chances at this venue much better because we have a good record in ODIs here as West Indies players. It’s a much smaller ground, and the conditions are likely to be different. We must make things happen in this game because we must win – and if we don’t win, we lose the series.”
The Windies had a full outdoor net session under sunny skies at the match venue yesterday.
Bravo said the Caribbean side had little room for error in the second ODI due to the length of the series.
“This is not a five-match series, where we could bounce back, so we definitely have to try and get it right,” he said. “We need to get some momentum.
“In the first ODI, everything seemed set and looking good to go, but we lost Chris (Gayle), we lost my younger brother (Darren), and this hampered our batting a bit, so chasing close to 300 was always going to be difficult.”
West Indies have only ever lost once in nine ODIs at the Oval, where traditionally teams from the Caribbean have enjoyed their greatest support in England.
Bravo said the key to victory will be to play strongly during the first half of the game and use the momentum to take the team over the finish line.
“Whatever we do first, will determine how we finish the game,” he said.
“It will set the tone for the remainder of the game, and hopefully, whatever we do, we will do it well. We must ensure we do not start slow again because we cannot play catch up. England is a very good team, a well-organised, professional unit, and they too, know how important this game is for them to win. We have to be sharp and expect the unexpected.”
Play starts at 10:45hrs British Standard Time (05:45hrs East Caribbean Time).