JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – With their chances of reaching the semi-finals already ruined, West Indies will look to end their Champions Trophy on a high when they clash with India today in a day/night encounter here.
West Indies, depleted by the loss of their elite players because of the well publicized contracts row, turned in admirable performances in their opening matches against Pakistan and Australia before slipping to defeat.
Without a point in Group A, the Windies will now be hoping to defy the odds and overthrow India who need to win to remain in contention for a final four spot.
“In one-day cricket the team that plays better on the day has a good chance of winning,” captain Floyd Reifer said following a training session on Tuesday.
“India have a good side, they have a lot of stars, they play a lot of one-day cricket but we’re going to approach the game the same way we approached the first two.”
Against Pakistan in the opener, West Indies gave the Twenty20 World champions a scare before losing by five wickets at The Wanderers on a bowler-friendly wicket.
Expected to be mauled by one-day World champions Australia, the Caribbean side gave another impressive showing in a losing effort by 50-runs at the same venue.
Reifer said despite the two defeats, he had taken heart in the team’s display during the tournament.
“We can take a lot of positives from the tournament,” the veteran Barbadian batsman noted.
“Some of our guys bowled well, some of our guys batted well, and we have been very good in the field. As a team I think we played pretty good cricket.”
Today’s match will bowl off at 2:30 pm (8:30 am Eastern Caribbean time) at The Wanderers.
