DHAKA, Bangladesh – Darren Sammy said West Indies were ready to chase more success, when they face hosts Bangladesh in the first Test, which opens today at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here.
The West Indies captain said though his side were disappointed that the only practice match scheduled ahead of the Test had to be scrapped, the players had used the time wisely, working on specific areas of their game.
“The same thing happened to us a few years ago in Sri Lanka,” he said. “We still had some specific work which we were doing and this time it is no different. “The batsmen look in good form and the bowlers look ready to go, so yes, we are disappointed we did not get into the middle and play – but we are still confident that we can get the ball rolling in this series.”
He added: “We got an opportunity to do more specific work. It means some of our batsmen have got a chance to hit a few more balls, where probably in the practice match, they may have gotten a good ball and dismissed early.
“Our bowlers also got a few more deliveries in their feet and got a chance to execute their skill properly. We are disappointed we didn’t play that tour match, but I do not think it will be a factor in our preparation for the Test.”
Sammy said West Indies respected the home team, but his side was well aware that they would be tested by an opponent that relishes playing on home soil.
“People will expect us to beat them,” he said. “. . .We are not going to take them lightly. We will give them the respect they are due like we do with any other opponent.
“But we are confident that we can go out there and play a brand of cricket that will give us a series victory.”
He said: “Complacency is something about which we have spoken. We left the Caribbean as World Twenty20 champions, but this is a different format. Winning the WT20 gave the players a lot more confidence, but we are quite aware that we have to guard against complacency.
“We must remember that cricket is played in the middle. Once we can execute our team plans and we get the performances from different players, we are confident we can win the series here.”
Reports indicate that the pitch has played quite lively in two domestic first-class matches this season.
Sammy said he however, expected the pitch to be typical of what had been produced in previous matches, but felt his side was well equipped to handle whatever surface was prepared.
“It looks like a pitch on which you will have to be patient in the batting and the bowling, so it will be about consistency in the execution of the plans you put in place,” he said.
“We are tempted to play two spinners, particularly Veerasammy Permaul, since he was part of the Sagicor WIHPC team that last month played here.
“He has done really well here, so he makes a strong case for a place in the side, but the selectors will have to decide what they feel is the best combination for us to win the Test.”
West Indies on Monday held their final training session before the Test under the guidance of head coach Ottis Gibson.
This is West Indies’ third full tour of Bangladesh, following trips in 2002 and last year.
