Coach commends Windies’ effort despite results

W est Indies head coach Daren Sammy has praised his team’s level of professionalism during the ongoing One Day International series against India, which will climax on Saturday with the third game at New Chandigarh. The regional side lost both of the opening games by eight wickets, with the series also being played against the backdrop of serious financial uncertainty for Cricket West Indies, which has resulted in contracted players being asked to accept a 25 per cent pay cut. “I know what I told the guys. I mean with all the pay cuts, I said there is no better time to play India. You know if you win against the best team, you get some leverage, not only for the West Indies as a whole, but for you personally. Performing against India always brings extra incentives that, later down the road, could pay you back for your performance.

“So we try our best to put that behind us but you know, I commend the guys, the way they’ve put their head down. Yes, the results have not gone our way, but we continue to improve in certain areas. To me, understanding the objective of this trip and understanding what success for my team means, I think we’ve taken some strides,” Sammy stated, while referencing the fact that the West Indies had not won a series in India for over 20 years. Reflecting on the playing conditions, Sammy said the games so far have been eye-opening and will benefit the team moving forward. “I thought it’s been a good gauge as to where we are in the context of ODI cricket [and] what we have to do in order to compete to win against a top side. The pitches have been very good for our batters, but it’s been really harsh on the bowlers. ” “We still need to find ways when wickets are not really offering any assistance to the bowlers to be disciplined in our lines and lengths…