West Indies head coach, Phil Simmons believes that confidence is the determining factor that has seen his side remain undefeated in their last four Test matches, particularly their success over Bangladesh last week.
West Indies defeated Bangladesh inside four days by seven wickets with a few players standing head and shoulders above the others on Sunday and according to Simmons, “It’s just guys getting confidence in what they are doing. I think the more confident you get, the easier it is to do your job and perform your role for the team so it is a lot of confidence especially after winning a series against England not too long ago so the confidence is there and it shows.”
A prime example is John Campbell who scored a vital half-century in West Indies’ victory. This is Campbell’s third half-century in 38 innings with an average of 25.27 and no centuries.
Simmons said, “I think it’s important for him. I think he’s had really good starts in most of the games and failing to get past that 30 and 40 mark so 50 and 50 not out must give him confidence that he could go on and get that big score hopefully in the next match.”
Campbell’s opening partner and captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, is another player who continues to grow from strength to strength but fell six runs short of another Test ton.
Like his batting, Simmons believes he is also growing as a captain.
“I think there is not much to talk about him as a batsman, everybody has seen his determination and his unique style. He doesn’t have a problem being there for five days and doing his job which is unique because a lot of batmen nowadays want to play shots and be done with it but from his point of view, he wants to be there all the time for his team and that rolls into his captaincy,” Simmons reasoned.He added, “He is always loud and the players know what he wants. In his unique way he makes them understand what he wants and he seems to be growing in the role as he goes along because there is more decision making so he’s been great.”
Another leader within the side is Kemar Roach who has equalled Michael Holding as the sixth leading Test wicket taker for West Indies with 249 wickets after taking his 10th five-wicket haul.
“He has been excellent, he has taken things to a next level been tied with Mikey for the sixth in the dressing room he’s always leading the youngsters and letting them know what has to be done to get to where he is because it’s a long way there for some of them who haven’t played much Test matches, he has played 70-odd Test matches…it’s great to have him in the dressing room,” Simmons declared.
Of Gudakesh Motie, who made his debut in this match and did not take a wicket although he made an important contribution with the bat, Simmons reckons that he will improve as a bowler.
He said, “Well, he scored a 100 in the [West Indies] championships so he can hold the bat and he can score but his bowling is going to improve. I think in the first Test match, there is always nerves but his bowling will improve.”
West Indies will look to seal the series in the second match against Bangladesh in St. Lucia from Friday.
