The West Indies and Pakistan quietly arrived in Guyana yesterday to a lukewarm reception for the fifth and final ODI of the Digicel Home Series tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium.
There was not the usual lining of the route or fans thronging the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) waiting area to greet the teams, more particularly the Regional team that finds itself 1-3 going into tomorrow’s final match. They arrived at 15:05 hours aboard the Caribbean’s first low fares airline, REDjet.
The West Indies only win came after they were ahead of the Pakistanis by one run under the Duckworth/Lewis system after the interruption of rain in the fourth match in Barbados on Monday.
Apart from that game, the new look West Indies team, comprising mostly of a cadre of young, inexperienced players at the international level, was comprehensively outplayed by the higher ranked Pakistan.
However, it is the hope of 49-year-old Richie Richardson, manager of the team that has purportedly been undergoing multiple phases of reconstruction, that it will bounce back in the final match in the series, which is already lost, with a win.
Speaking with local media operatives in the Arrival Lounge at the CJIA after Marketing Manager of Digicel Jacqueline James presented SIM cards to the WI and Pakistan teams, Richardson said that the management team of the Caribbean side has been seeing improvements “by the day” and persons should not expect widespread improvement.
The former captain said that the confidence in the WI camp is still high despite the series loss and its main aim at this time is a win.
The Antiguan said the side that played in Barbados for the fourth ODI will remain unchanged, declaring that the management of the squad has seen the talent of the players. Richardson mentioned Guyanese legspinner Devendra Bishoo, who has taken 10 wickets from his four games, Jamaican pacer Andre Russell and resurgent Ravi Rampaul.
The WI team will be conducting a training session today at the Guyana National Stadium from 09:00 hours while the Pakistanis will start from 11:00 hours.
Continuing the trend of future development, Richardson, who played 86 Tests and 224 ODIs, reminded that for West Indies to break back into the top echelons of world cricket the process will be a gradual one.
He pointed out that a great level of patience will be required from all.
Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh revealed yesterday that all systems are in place for tomorrow’s game. He stated that a “dry run” was done yesterday to ensure that all personnel are reminded of their roles.
