MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – West Indies will be hoping the euphoria of the second Test win in Brisbane last Sunday overflows into the One-Day International series, as they prepare to take on Australia in the opening game here today.
In a thrilling finish to an absorbing contest at the Gabba, West Indies stunned the hosts by eight-runs just after lunch on the penultimate day, to register the first Test win Down Under in 27 years.
Five players from the Test squad will be involved in the three-match series and ODI captain Shai Hope said his white-ball unit had taken inspiration from the performance.
“It was a very inspiring win that they had in the last Test. It’s great momentum for us,” said Hope, who has led the ODI side for almost a year.
“Of course it’s a different format but great signs for us to continue what happened in the last Test in this ODI series.
“There was jet lag a few days ago but it’s pretty good [now]. Everyone is up and ready to roll.
“Seeing some of these grounds here in Australia, that in itself [makes you] want to play cricket so the guys are upbeat [and] ready to go.”
West Indies endured a mixed year of results last year in bilateral series, amidst the massive disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the very first time.
They swept United Arab Emirates 3-0 and then edged England 2-1, while going down to India and drawing away to South Africa, as they won seven of 12 ODIs.
Like in Tests, however, West Indies have not beaten Australia in a series in nearly three decades, and have won only three of their last 18 meetings.
However, Hope said the new-look side were taking a systematic approach to every game, in an attempt to alter their fortunes.
“Like we always say in the dressing room, every game matters. It’s not necessarily about a series or an opponent, we have to take every single game as a final,” he explained.
“It’s nice to see the guys are really taking to the new system and the way we’re trying to play our cricket. So it’s one game at a time and then the results will take care of themselves.”
Like they also did in the Test series, West Indies have travelled with an inexperienced side for the ODIs.
Selectors have included two uncapped players in the 15-man squad with 21-year-old Teddy Bishop and 27-year-old Tevin Imlach set to feature, while another 21-year-old – fast bowler Matthew Forde – only made his debut last December.
Five others have played less than 10 ODIs while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has turned out in exactly 10.
Hope said it had been important to freshen up the squad for the trip, especially since West Indies were already looking towards the next ODI World Cup in 2027.
“I think it is great to deepen that pool and widen that pool, and what is a better way to start your career than here in Australia for some of the guys,” he pointed out.
“Four years seem like a long time but it really isn’t, and as much games as these guys can play over that span, I think is going to widen the pool and then give us a headache when that time comes to hopefully select a strong squad.
“Then they would also gain a lot more experience by that time.”
SQUADS:
AUSTRALIA – Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Adam Zampa
WEST INDIES – Shai Hope (captain), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.