Fletcher wants to improve WI T20I record against Black Caps

WICKETKEEPER/BATSMAN Andre Fletcher is intent on improving the West Indies’ (WI) T20 International (T20I) win-record in New Zealand.

Of the last seven T20Is played in New Zealand between the pair, the Black Caps have won six. Altogether, both teams have played each other 13 times in T20, with the Kiwis holding a slim seven to five advantage.

After three weeks of intense training in Queenstown, Fletcher and the WI team arrived in Auckland on Monday to climax preparations ahead of Friday’s first meeting of a three-match T20 series.

Although the records lay in favour of the host-nation, Fletcher believes WI can stage a long-awaited upset.

“It’s a game that we cannot predict but hopefully we can allow them to lose the other three (T20s). We’re ready and hoping everything goes with us. We haven’t won a series in New Zealand but hopefully we can change things around.

“We’re just looking for the opportunity to make the best use of it. We feel welcome here. We’ve practised very hard, trained and put in the work. We strongly believe that we are capable enough and we are ready for the guys,” said Fletcher.

The 32-year old is cautiously optimistic the upcoming series will assist the men in maroon to climb up the T20I rankings.

Although WI are two-time T20 world champions, they are presently ranked ninth while New Zealand sit in sixth position. Australia, England and India are the current International Cricket Council’s (ICC) top three ranked T20I teams.

Fletcher believes if the squad continues to play their positive brand of cricket, they should be able to secure crucial wins and help the team improve their ICC rankings.

Asked on the team’s approach heading into the series, Fletcher said, “Honestly I don’t think anything will change. We’ll continue being positive and continue playing our brand of cricket.

Sometimes it’s tough, winning two World Cups and now being ranked at ninth in the world, it’s kind of off-balanced.

I believe we will get back up there with the ranking but we’ll continue playing our brand of cricket. Hopefully we can start well and we’ll see where it takes us,” he added.

This tour is the WI’s second since the pandemic hit in March. In July, the Caribbean team travelled to England and lost a three-match Test Series 1-2.

Like the English tour, WI were forced to arrive some weeks prior to the start, to ensure they adhered to all covid19 regulations in the host country. Bio-secure bubbles, group training and limited public activity have become a new norm for travelling teams.

“It’s a different era with this pandemic. It’s been tough. Mentally we try to our best to stay as focused as possible. It is what it is. We just have to work and cope with it and stay strong.

“We’ve been doing a lot of team bonding activities and the guys are enjoying themselves. We are bonding together and enjoying each other’s company. It’s good and very important for our team,” Fletcher said.

For the first time since the pandemic started, supporters will be allowed inside the venue when the two teams meet at the Eden Park on Friday.

Fletcher concluded, “It would be the first time playing in front of a big crowd. We know the crowd would be cheering on for New Zealand but it would be a great atmosphere. Hopefully we can do our best.

“We’ve prepared a lot and we know what we can do. We’re just waiting for Friday to reach and let the rest take care of itself. We’ve come here to play cricket and when the day reaches we don’t want to be just getting into it. We’re already prepared for it.”