BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, CMC – Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood believes a strong start to the two-Test series against Zimbabwe will be vital for West Indies, especially with the squad still adjusting to an overhauled management team.
Long-time head coach Phil Simmons quit following the recent tour of Australia, and his backroom staff of bowling coach Roddy Estwick and batting coach Monty Desai also exited after Cricket West Indies opted not to renew their contracts.
Andre Coley, head coach of the Cricket West Indies Academy programme, was hired as interim head coach for the Zimbabwe and upcoming South Africa series, while former Test pacer Kenny Benjamin has been named bowling coach and batting legend Brian Lara as performance mentor.
“It’s very important for us as a team [to start well] especially now we have an interim coach, a new bowling coach and we have Brian Lara here,” said the 31-year-old Blackwood. “So it’s very important of us to start on a winning note. We’ve talked a lot [about] that as well so hopefully we can play some hard cricket.
“That is what we’re here for – to play some hard cricket and I hope everybody can put in some good performances for the team so we can put back some smiles on the faces of the people of the Caribbean.”
West Indies have never lost a Test against Zimbabwe in 10 previous meetings, and won their two-match series 1-0 when they were last here in 2017.
However, Blackwood said West Indies were aware of the changes in the Zimbabwe playing personnel since then, with batsman Brendan Taylor the only player from the 2017 squad featuring in the country’s last Test against Bangladesh 19 months ago.
“We’re pretty much aware that it’s a totally different team,” Blackwood pointed out.
“A few guys played [last time] but not as much but we are fully aware it’s going to be a very new Zimbabwe team, a more fearless Zimbabwe team.
“But we’re here to perform. Our main goal is to win and that is what we’re here to do – to win.”
West Indies will face conditions which will be in direct contrast to those they encountered in Australia last month when they were swept aside 2-0 on lively pitches.
Traditionally, Zimbabwe pitches have played low and slow but Blackwood said West Indies’ sole focus would be on executing their game irrespective of conditions.
“The practice wicket is pretty slow – similar to the Caribbean. But when we were here in 2017, the wicket was pretty slow and turning so we’re going to expect the same,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to good conditions. As I said, once we can go out there and play our game I don’t think we will be under any pressure at all to win these two games.”
Blackwood will be hoping to bounce back after a lean spell against the Aussies. He averaged 32 against England last March with a hundred, and then averaged 64 against Bangladesh in a two-Test series in June but struggled Down Under with 63 runs in four innings.
The Jamaican, known for his penchant for dashing stroke-play, said he felt under no pressure heading into the series.
“Going forward right now I feel pretty good,” he said.
“The way I’m feeling now I feel back [to] my old self like a few years ago, so hopefully I can just go out there and put in some good performances for the team and also myself.”
The first Test bowls off at Queens Sports Club next Saturday.
