Joshua Da Silva calls on West Indies to show fight

WEST INDIES wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva has called on his teammates to show fight and application during the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, Galle, which bowls off on November 29.

The West Indies were spanked by 187 runs in the first Test, also at Galle, on Thursday.

During a post-game interview, on the Cricket West Indies (CWI) social media platforms, Da Silva, who made 54 during the West Indies’ second innings total of 160, was asked if the WI team would require a change of approach or strategy for the second Test.

He replied, “I just think we need to fight, to believe in ourselves.

“Nobody goes out there to fail, everybody is trying our best,” he added. “It’s five days so a bit of application would do the job.”

Da Silva featured in a seventh-wicket stand of 100 with Nkrumah Bonner, who ended unbeaten on 68. The pair came together on the fourth evening, with the WI tottering on 18/6.

“When I got into the wicket with Bonner, we had to rebuild, we had to think about how we were going to get ourselves out this bit of a collapse,” said Da Silva. “So we just wanted to bat balls and both of us just wanted to be at the wicket, at the end of the day.”

“And we know (on Thursday) we can take it to another step and try our best to draw the game, or even win the game.”

The West Indies resumed the final day on 52/6, but were dismissed before tea.

With regards to the batting conditions at Galle, Da Silva noted, “It was challenging. The pitch was turning a lot and the straighter ball was sliding on a bit. It was a difficult new-ball wicket.

“But, once the ball got a bit softer, it was a bit easier and we were able to get on top of the bowlers.”

In the WI’s first innings of 230, the team needed crucial lower-order knocks of 45 from Kyle Mayers, 39 from Rahkeem Cornwall and 36 from Jason Holder, as they recovered from a tough position of 100/6.

Concerning the West Indies batting, Da Silva said, “We can’t really fault the boys. Everybody goes out there to do their best.

“Nobody gets out on purpose. In the second innings, it was a bit tough. It was a period when Sri Lanka were on top and we needed to just keep on fighting, and try our best.”

The top-order struggles meant that Da Silva got little rest from his wicketkeeping exploits – he made an unbeaten 15 in the first innings, but he stayed at the crease for 113 minutes.

“For myself, I just wanted a bit of a rest after keeping a bit, but it’s part of the game and it’s what I’m going to have to deal with,” said Da Silva. “It might not be the last time but hopefully it is for a good while. I just wanted to do my best and it’s very frustrating for myself, and I guess for the team as well.”

With regards to the Sri Lankans, Da Silva said, “They just played the cricket that they know they have to play. They used their spinners wisely and they batted in their conditions which they know very well. They used the home advantage to their advantage.”