Coach of the West Indies team, John Dyson, said yesterday he felt his team might be in a good position to go one-up in the two-test series against the visiting Sri Lankan cricketers.
“Depending on how the first session goes tomorrow (today) I believe the West Indian battling line-up has the capacity to get to the target posted by the Sri Lankans,” said Dyson at the post match press conference.
He added:”It has been done before in the West Indian history.”
The home team put on a terrific batting display in the last session of the day’s play despite losing the wicket of Devon Smith after Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 240-7 setting the West Indies a victory target of 437.
At stumps the West Indies were 96-1 with Dwayne Bravo not out on 46 and Ramnaresh Sarwan not out on 34.
The West Indies surprisingly opened with Bravo ahead of regular opener and skipper Chris Gayle prompting much speculation about the move.
“Chris said to me that he was thinking of rearranging the opening duo and we (Chris, Sarwan and myself) decided on Bravo because he has good form and is a much more positive cricketer than the other available choices and also we said that a left handed – right handed combination at the crease would be a good fixation,” said Dyson.
There is some concern over Ryan Hinds’ hamstring injury.
“Ryan Hinds suffered a hamstring injury and the muscle is said to be torn about two-thirds of the way up,” Dyson stated.
“The head physiotherapist said that he would be out for about two to three weeks and that would be a full recovery. He said that it was best that he does not play as it would have no opportunity to further irritate the injury but he will conclude the test,” Dyson added.
The West Indies have concerns too over wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
Ramdin wrenched a muscle whilst batting in the first innings and it has been affecting him slightly especially when he was behind the stumps, Dyson said.
“Going into the final day of play I would not place any great emphasis on making a game plan to get to the score, currently, my only assessment to the guys was to play the game one delivery at a time and when they get the bad ball put it away and I must applaud them for I think they have done this terrifically,” said Dyson.(KB)
