BASSETERRRE, St Kitts, CMC – With Bangladesh already having won the series courtesy of victories in the first two matches, West Indies can only hope to salvage what little pride remains in the final One-Day International of the three-match series here today.
As was the case in the Test series, the makeshift side failed to match wits with Bangladesh and were soundly whipped in the double-header in Dominica.
Still without the top-tier players who refused to play in the Test series because of the impasse between the West Indies Players Association and the West Indies Cricket Board, the Floyd Reifer-led unit will hope the Warner Park can prove to be a respite after what has been a chastening experience.
Coach John Dyson said yesterday his side would still be gunning for the elusive win, despite the disappointing series.
“I would like to have a win and I’m sure the boys would as well,” the Australian told reporters.
“I think they’ve actually played some good cricket over the Bangladesh series but we just haven’t had the experience to get a win over the line.”
Experience has been the key issue for West Indies in the series.
In the opening ODI last Sunday at Windsor Park, they were let down by their batting to lose by 52 runs, in pursuit of 247 for victory.
In the second match three days later at the same venue, their batting fired them to 274 but inexperienced bowling allowed the Tigers to reach their target with an over to spare.
“I think we saw our inexperience come through in the second innings [in] Dominica and when you’ve got guys who’ve only played a handful of games between them.”
Dyson praised Bangladesh, contending that in addition to the Windies inexperience, the visitors had played tough cricket.
“I think … Bangladesh batted well. Everyone seems to have ignored the fact that they have played good cricket,” the former Australia Test opener said.
“They aren’t as weak as some people would seem to think they are. They are some experienced cricketers in that team, some very good cricketers in the team and they played very good cricket.”
West Indies have been sweating on the fitness of key all-rounder Darren Sammy who picked up a leg injury during the second ODI but Dyson said he expected him to take his place in the XI.
Sammy is one of several key players in the side with much expected from all-rounder Dave Bernard and batsman Travis Dowlin, who scored his first ODI century in the last match.
Bangladesh will be led by their inspirational captain Shakib Al Hasan whose batting and bowling has been a thorn in the Windies’ side.
TEAMS (from)
WEST INDIES – Floyd Reifer (captain), Darren Sammy (vice captain), David Bernard, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Rawl Lewis, Nikita Miller, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge.
BANGLADESH – Shakib Al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Rubel Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mohammed Ashraful, Mahmudullah, Mahbubul Alam, Junaid Siddique, Abdur Razzak, Tamim Iqbal, Mehrab Hossain, Syed Rasel.
