Having done the assessment of the disappointing outing in Barbados, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy is demanding a sharper, more focused performance, particularly in the field and with the bat, in the second Test against Australia, which gets underway on Thursday.
Sammy admitted that while some decisions in the opening Test at Kensington Oval were contentious, it was the team’s own shortcomings, most notably seven dropped catches, that ultimately saw them slip to a 159-run defeat.
“Yes, they (the umpires) had some human errors, but I think the biggest thing is we shot ourselves in the foot. You cannot drop seven catches against the world’s number one team and expect to compete all the time and be victorious. So we have a lot of blame to take for the defeat,” Sammy told reporters ahead of the match at the National Stadium in St George’s.
Still, Sammy believes there were flickers of promise from the Caribbean side as Shamar Joseph secured a fiery nine-wicket haul, and encouraging knocks from Shai Hope and Roston Chase also offered glimpses of potential in a side that is undergoing transition under a new Test Championship cycle—with a new captain, new coach, and several new faces.
“For the first two days, we were head and shoulders above the number one team. That’s the brand of cricket we want to play. Players like Brandon King showed what we’re capable of when things click. So once things go well, then we could really compete and have an impact on winning,” Sammy stated.
Despite the defeat, Sammy remains steadfast in his belief that the squad should remain unchanged, as he highlighted the need for continuity and trust in the players’ abilities.
“We just started a new Test Championship. The 11 that we picked was probably the most balanced one we could field. After one game, there’s no need to panic. It’s about starting a culture, building a brand, and giving players a fair opportunity to perform,” he declared.
With the Grenada wicket expected to be balanced, Sammy said execution will be key, regardless of pitch conditions.
Shamar Joseph’s (celebrating) first Test wicket was Steve Smith. Kraigg Brathwaite (left) will play his 100th Test match. (Sportsmax)
“We’ve played more white-ball cricket here, and it’s normally a really good cricket wicket. You could have a grassy top or a flat deck, but you still have to come out and execute, and that’s what I’ll challenge my men to do on both sides of the game, batting and bowling,” Sammy noted.
That said, Sammy pointed out that a crucial area for improvement lies in the team’s batting approach, particularly in the first innings, where he noted the West Indies often falter.
“We’ve probably faced the least number of overs, scored the slowest, and probably lost the most wickets as well in the last two Test Championships. That’s not good enough. Either you score faster to bring the game closer, or you bat more overs. We have selected a squad that should allow us to do both,” Sammy argued.
“I believe you have to bat about 150 overs in the first innings to really put yourself in contention for a result that is not on the losing side. It’s a long way away from what we’re doing, but we are going to continue to take steps and play in a way that helps us to improve,” he added.
Thursday’s Test will also mark a monumental moment in West Indies cricket history, as veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite will become the 10th player to reach 100 Test appearances for the Caribbean side—a milestone Sammy was quick to celebrate.
“I was privileged to be captain when Kraigg played his first Test back in 2011. Now, to be his coach as he prepares for his 100th Test, in which he also has an opportunity to perform and have an impact on levelling a series, it will be a special moment for him and also for the team. We’ve shown signs that when we do things well, we compete with the best in the world. So we just need to put all facets of the game right, keep the pressure on, and not drop too many catches,” Sammy ended.
(Sportsmax)
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