Darren Sammy calls on West Indies batsmen to perform
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: West Indies captain Darren Sammy said that an improved batting performance was the only way for his side to beat India in the second Test, starting on Tuesday at Kensington Oval here.
The hosts suffered a batting collapse in the first Test, conceding a first innings lead of 73, and though they made the highest total of the match in the second innings, they fell 63 runs short of the victory target of 325 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
Concerned about the mental toughness of their ailing side, West Indies brought World-famous sports psychologist Rudi Webster on board to work with the team for the duration of the Test.
Sammy welcomed his arrival, and hoped he could spark the lost confidence that has bedevilled the players throughout this series and the Pakistan matches before this.
"He is just here trying to help restore the confidence of the players, mainly our batsmen, and the guys will have to open their minds to take in what he is bringing to the table," he said.
"Hopefully, we will see the batsmen playing a lot more confidently. We have to start somewhere.
"Throughout the past few series, apart from the first Test in Sri Lanka last November, our batsmen have been struggling for a little bit.
"We know the coaches and the management staff are doing all that they can in order to give us the best chance of going out there and performing. Webster's inclusion can hopefully work out for the best."
Sammy also said he was long overdue a meaningful innings for the side, preaching the power of personal responsibility.
He scored a quickfire 25 in the second innings in the first Test, striking three successive sixes of Harbhajan Singh.
"I have to bat as well, and for me, personally, it's about going out there and doing whatever it takes for the team to win and be in a good position," he said.
"From that side, I want to put runs on the board as captain, and continue with my other role of being the workhorse, or stock bowler, but still pick up wickets.
"I have to contribute with the bat. It has been affecting me and the team not being able to put the scores that I want on the board."
The hosts suffered a batting collapse in the first Test, conceding a first innings lead of 73, and though they made the highest total of the match in the second innings, they fell 63 runs short of the victory target of 325 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
Concerned about the mental toughness of their ailing side, West Indies brought World-famous sports psychologist Rudi Webster on board to work with the team for the duration of the Test.
Sammy welcomed his arrival, and hoped he could spark the lost confidence that has bedevilled the players throughout this series and the Pakistan matches before this.
"He is just here trying to help restore the confidence of the players, mainly our batsmen, and the guys will have to open their minds to take in what he is bringing to the table," he said.
"Hopefully, we will see the batsmen playing a lot more confidently. We have to start somewhere.
"Throughout the past few series, apart from the first Test in Sri Lanka last November, our batsmen have been struggling for a little bit.
"We know the coaches and the management staff are doing all that they can in order to give us the best chance of going out there and performing. Webster's inclusion can hopefully work out for the best."
Sammy also said he was long overdue a meaningful innings for the side, preaching the power of personal responsibility.
He scored a quickfire 25 in the second innings in the first Test, striking three successive sixes of Harbhajan Singh.
"I have to bat as well, and for me, personally, it's about going out there and doing whatever it takes for the team to win and be in a good position," he said.
"From that side, I want to put runs on the board as captain, and continue with my other role of being the workhorse, or stock bowler, but still pick up wickets.
"I have to contribute with the bat. It has been affecting me and the team not being able to put the scores that I want on the board."
Published by Unknown
on 04:48.
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