SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Stand-in West Indies skipper, Jason Mohammed, said the Caribbean side were still pumped up for Friday’s final One-Day International despite already having lost the five-match series.
The Windies trail England 3-0 following a seven-wicket defeat in the opener at Old Trafford, a 124-run loss in the third match in Bristol last Sunday and a six-run defeat in the fourth game at the Oval on Wednesday.
The third game at Nottingham was rained off after only 14 deliveries.
West Indies enter the contest at the Ageas Bowl playing for pride and Mohammed said they were confident of climaxing the tour positively.
“It’s an honour to lead the Windies team,” said the 31-year-old Mohammed after arriving here Thursday.
“The camaraderie in the camp is great and despite being 3-0 we are looking forward to the last match. It would be great to end on a high and give the fans something to shout about.”
Following lacklustre performances in the first couple of matches, West Indies turned in their best performance of the series at the Oval before rain ended the contest prematurely.
They piled up 356 for five – their highest-ever ODI total against England – with opener Evin Lewis stroking a superb 176 off 130 deliveries.
Twenty-year-old seamer Alzarri Joseph then became the youngest West Indies bowler to take five wickets in an one-dayer when he reduced England to 181 for five in the 28th over after the hosts cruised at 126 without loss in the 18th.
Rain in the 36th over ended the game prematurely but found England ahead on Duckworth/Lewis. The result handed West Indies their sixth straight series loss to the English and left them without a series victory over a higher-ranked side in five years. Mohammed, who ran into form on Wednesday with 46, said West Indies were hoping to put together a complete performance on Friday.
“We’ve played some very good cricket in this series. Evin hit a brilliant century yesterday and showed the world what he’s capable of,” the Trinidadian said.
“Alzarri was excellent with the ball with his first five-for, he bowled a superb spell and deserved every wicket. Earlier up, it was great to see the way Chris (Gayle) played at the top in Bristol.
“In this upcoming match we hope to put it all together and come away with a victory.”
Regular captain Jason Holder has returned home to Barbados for the funeral of his uncle.
