WI must continue to improve says coach Simmons

HEAD coach of the West Indies team Phil Simmons said despite his team's convincing performance in Bangladesh he is looking for an improved showing in all departments leading into the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which bowls off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, on Sunday.

West Indies have dominated the Sri Lankans so far winning the T20 series 2-1 and sweeping the One Day International series 3-0.

West Indies have the opportunity to win back-to-back Test series after defeating Bangladesh 2-0 last month in Bangladesh under Kraigg Brathwaite, who filled in for former captain Jason Holder. The Cricket West Indies selectors decided to retain Brathwaite as captain for the Sri Lanka series following the solid showing in Bangladesh.

Speaking to CWI media following Friday's training, Simmons said, "I think we need to improve in every area. We had a good series (against Bangladesh), but there are lots of things that you need to keep improving on. We need to make sure that we get 400 in the first innings which is something that we are striving for every time we play and then we got to bowl and bat as well as and even better than we did in Bangladesh. Every area needs to be improved on and that is how we are looking at it."

Concerning the balance of the bowling attack for the first Test, Simmons said a decision will be made on Saturday. "We've got to get here (on Saturday). We've got to see where the pitch is on last day before the game and then we can make a decision on that. There is some grass on it right now, but when we come tomorrow it could be totally different."

Simmons said the atmosphere is "great" and everybody is looking forward to "success."