WEST Indies senior men’s Head Coach Daren Sammy says that the key to winning the series deciding match against the hosting Indian side is to execute better within the powerplay periods
The head coach said several factors have influenced the limited-overs series in India, but notes that the team that executes better has come out on top on the day.
The five-match series is currently squared 2-2, with the final outing on Saturday in Indore, India.
“I think good wickets with no dew present a more even contest, where the skills can be executed as we have seen throughout the series, but we take what we get, and the team that executes better more consistently on the day has been good, and it’s been twice for India and twice for the West Indies, so it makes the series really interesting,” Sammy said.
Meanwhile, the former Windies skipper says their wins must be taken against the backdrop of all the challenges they face.
“For us success is progress. In spite of all the challenges that we face, we came here and competed against the best in the world, defending champions. We ticked boxes that kept us in the conversation. Before this series started, we all knew about the pay cut and everything that happened, and West Indies is doing well, and they continue to be a team that brings entertainment to the world,” Sammy said.
He says the way the team has played in India will boost the unit as they go into the World Cup Qualifiers from February to March next year.
That tournament is being hosted in South Africa and Namibia and will determine who makes the World Cup later in the year.
The St Lucian added, “My role, and by extension the management’s, with the players is to go out and do our best. Sometimes it’s hard; it’s inconsistent, but I think the lead-up after the World Cup, the lead-up to the qualifier that we are going into, what I have seen, and this series will give the guys a lot of confidence, because I did say it was a way to measure where we’re at, and I think the way we have played will send a strong message.”
The West Indies were competitive but lost the ODI series 2-1 and have a chance to win the T20 series with a game still to play today.
