Coach Sammy wants more fight in second ODI

West Indies One-Day International head coach Darren Sammy wants his team to show more fight against dominators India when the second ODI of a three-match series bowls off in Kensington Oval, Barbados on Saturday, from 9.30 am (TT time).

India took a 1-0 lead on Thursday after dismissing the hosts for a meagre 114 from 23 overs; their last six wickets falling for 26 runs. In response, India made light work of the target, despite losing five wickets, and got to 118/5 in 22.5 overs.

Maroon skipper Shai Hope (43) was their best batsman while still-fresh Alick Athanzae (22) continues to outshine his more experienced peers. But left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav (4/6) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/37) were India’s main destroyers with the ball.

Speaking to regional media in Barbados on Friday, Sammy said the team was devastated with their opening result and needs to show more intensity when it matters most.

“Obviously we’re disappointed. The way we prepared, I thought our guys were in a good mode and shape skill-wise. But I had a strong word with the guys in the dressing room talking about the fight that we have to show when we are faced with difficult situations.”

Sammy added that the result was a tough pill to swallow because of the amount of work he saw the players put in. He wants his troops to acclimatise better out in the middle.

“It’s about transferring the work from the nets and having the confidence out there when the wicket is a bit difficult, to apply themselves some more. We saw the captain doing that. I expect a better outing in the second ODI.”

Sammy remains optimistic despite their last four ODI losses coming against India, Sri Lanka, Scotland and Zimbabwe.

“I’m a positive guy so I’ll always try to uplift the mood in the camp, but at the end of the day, it takes a team to go out there and perform, skill-wise, mentally that could allow us to win a cricket game.”

On the performances of the team’s returning bowling options – spinners Gudakesh Motie and Yannic Cariah, and fast bowler Jayden Seales – Sammy was in high praise of the trio and said they did well to snag five scalps defending such a low total.

“These are positives we’ve had. I thought the bowlers showed character. India did shuffle their batting line up but that (was) out of our control. They could have gone out there and just laid down and died. They fought, got five wickets, created right opportunities within that period.

“Motie, I think, is world class. He’s a very skilful bowler, plays all formats for us and he was exceptional. Seales, coming from injury, looked really good. Cariah has been…we missed him dearly in the World Cup qualifiers after he suffered that injury.”

With the final ODI set to bowl off at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba on Tuesday, Sammy hopes the team can notch a win in the second match and head to Trinidad with a possible chance of a come-from-behind series victory.

“There were still positives in the gloom and we’re hoping that we have a more positive impact moving forward in the future.

“The legacy (WI) we have is something that we inherited and it is our duty to keep that legacy going. So I will try my best, together as a team, could then put those performances on the park. It’s slowing in coming but hopefully we can that we will inspire those kids who come and watch us still for the future.”