… Adopting similar qualities could enhance Windies identity

By Clifton Ross

WELLINGTON will host the second and final battle for the Windies of 2020 and Estwick was firm on the players to quickly regroup mentally and game-wise, chirping adjustment as a key factor within the team. “You have to adjust quickly, the pitches are very good; it’s a completely different ball also New Zealand are a disciplined side. They leave the ball well and all who come to New Zealand know they’re in for a very tough series because they’ve got the game where they want it,” said Estwick. The 59-year-old said it was important for the West Indies to adopt a culture similar to that of their opponents, as the Kiwis have a number of leaders in the side capable of marshalling the team with the same success to that of captain Kane Williamson.
“They have built their unit on and off the field and you can see it. They also have a lot of leaders within that group and that takes some pressure off Kane as well, because when you look you see Southee (Tim) leading the bowling group and Ross Taylor leading the batting. “So it’s a core of experienced players with leaders all around the park and that is what we’re aiming for. Good sides have leaders and that takes pressure off the captain; so it’s the culture that sets New Zealand aside from most,” said an adamant Estwick. The Caribbean boys lost the first match by more than 100 runs and an innings, making tomorrow’s match even more important as they seek to avoid a clean sweep and Estwick was firm that players need to step up or play a less tedious form of cricket, should they not be able to cope and perform at the highest level of cricket.

“We are representing 8 million people back in the Caribbean so we can’t just roll over. We’ve got to stay in the fight and stay in the contest but you have to be prepared to work hard. The bowlers have to be prepared to bowl long spells and the batsmen got to be prepared to bat for a very long time.” He continued, “This is Test cricket and this is one of the better teams in the world so you need to do these things and if you’re not prepared to, go play T20 cricket because you’ve got to be able to scrap, fight and battle and put a price on everything you do. There’s no hiding place in Test cricket especially in New Zealand. You can’t relax for one minute,” professed the assistant coach. In closing, the former Barbados player believed that while Kemar Roach’s absence, due to the passing of his father remains a huge blow to the bowling side having one of their key bowlers gone, it is a nice opportunity for a few of the younger players, who are in contention to be a possible replacement for the Windies, to lead the bowling at this time.