West Indies Head Coach Stuart Law believes that partnerships are crucial in today’s second one-dayer against Bangladesh at the National Stadium, Providence.
Bangladesh all rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, however has signalled his team’s intention to seal the three-match series.
West Indies will take on Bangladesh in the second One Day International (ODI), a day and night affair today after losing the first one-dayer by 48 runs at the same venue four days ago.
Yesterday, prior to the start of their training, Law reflected on some of the mistakes his team made, while stating what corrections can be made which could result in his team coming out victorious and keeping the series alive.
“With the bat we lost too many wickets at crucial times,” he said.
“We need not only to put on partnerships but put on big partnerships, you get one or two big partnerships in a 50 overs game it goes well for posting a big total,” he added.
According to the West Indies captain, they were unable to put on meaningful partnerships with the highest coming from the last wicket pair of Devendra Bishoo and Alzarri Joseph who added an unbeaten half century stand while Shimron Hetmyer and Chris Gayle scored 52 and 40 respectively.
Law explained that everything went according to plan early on but that his team lost its way later in the plot.
“I think we started well in the first 10 overs. We had great intensity in the field, we held on to a really good chance and the bowlers stuck to the plan,” he disclosed.
The former Australian cricketer acknowledged the efforts of the Bangladesh batsmen and their application to the game saying “take nothing away from Bangladesh they batted well and put together a great partnership for the second wicket and we were unable to break that until late in the piece but you know.”
Of the venue for today’s encounter Law said “it’s hot, it’s humid and with the potential of rain anything can happen.”
He explained that they know what to expect from Providence, a bit of spin and a slower track adding that unlike the test series where they were able to unsettle Bangladesh batsmen with bounce, this wicket may require an adjustment from the bowlers.
Law also pointed out that chances were created by the bowlers but the fieldsmen were unable to hold on to the catches.
Had they held on to the offerings West Indies could have probably been chasing a much smaller total, Law opined.
“It’s unfortunate that we managed to create opportunities but couldn’t hold onto it, if we held on to chances we probably would be chasing 220-240,” Law said.
The fielding was labelled as sloppy by the skipper after his team put down four catches and leaked runs often.
Heading into the next match, Law noted that his players were aware of their mistakes and need to improve on it if they are to provide a better fight.
Holder maintained that the team needed to improve on all three areas, adding that it’s just a case of the players applying themselves.
“I think we need to improve in all three departments….sharpen up you know our fielding was not up to scratch in my opinion as I said we missed a few chances and with our bowling, I think we need to execute a lot better especially in our death bowling,” Holder stated.
Holder said that they were unlikely to make any changes heading into today’s game while Bangladesh will look to replicate the same effort.
Though reluctant to change a winning team, Bangladesh might replace Anamul Haque at the top of the order with Liton Das.
Al Hasan, who was part of a record breaking 207-run partnership said Bangladesh would be looking to close the series here in Guyana.
He said that the conditions here suited the visitors and they were hoping for a 100 percent record at the venue.
He added that Bangladesh was aware that West Indies will come hard and are prepared for it.
The first ball of the historic match will bowl off from 14:30 hours.
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk) Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (capt), Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul Alzarri Joseph, Ashley Nurse, Jason Mohammed
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Nazmul Islam, Anamul Haque
