BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – West Indies captain Darren Sammy said Wednesday there was no need to enter panic mode after his side collapsed to a disappointing 88-run defeat to New Zealand in the third One-Day International here at Warner Park.
Sammy reminded reporters the Windies had been outstanding in the series and said they were already focusing on the fourth match at the same venue in three days time.
“I think New Zealand played really well. It was an off-day for us and we have basically put it behind us and we’re already looking forward to tomorrow to just get back to our winning ways which we’ve had in the series,” Sammy said.
“Since we’ve been playing some good cricket, we won’t let one game dampen the spirit of the boys. We have put it behind us and come Saturday … we will go out and play some good cricket.”
West Indies, seeking a series-clinching 3-0 lead, restricted the Black Caps to 249 for nine off their allotted 50 overs, after winning the toss and electing to field.
In their turn at the wicket, however, the Caribbean side lost wickets regularly and it was left to all-rounder Andre Russell, with a cameo, unbeaten 42 off 24 balls, to salvage some damaged pride.
He was the only batsman to pass 20, with three wickets falling via run-out as New Zealand fielded brilliantly.
“We were not surprised (by New Zealand’s performance). We’re playing against an international team and we expect them to come out and perform,” said Sammy.
“We’ve been winning since the series started in Florida and today they came out and out-fielded us and they were much more positive in their approach. Most of our guys have been in good nick. Chasing 250, there were three run-outs in there and that always sets you on the back foot. The guys felt we could restrict them to a low total.
“Chasing down 250 here we should have gotten it. They seemed to execute their plans much better … and they were really, really good in the field.”
Sammy said West Indies had been pleased with the effort to restrict New Zealand’s batting, which saw Russell getting his second four-wicket haul of the series.
He reiterated, though, that the Kiwis had outshone them in the field.
“We bowled well but they came out looking very positive. At one stage they were going at six-plus (runs per over) and we pulled it back, got wickets in-between and halfway through we thought we had restricted them to a good total,” the all-rounder pointed out.
“But they came out and bowled really well to us upfront and they fielded really well and minus that chance off Russell, they took all their chances.”