Gros Islet, St Lucia – The West Indies team will be looking to make a winning start as they introduce several new faces to the international stage when they face Pakistan in the Digicel T20 International on Thursday.
First ball at the picturesque Beausejour Cricket Grounds is 2 pm (1 pm Jamaica Time).
Speaking at the official Digicel Series launch at the ground, skipper Darren Sammy outlined that the Windies, like Pakistan, were in a building phase and all the players in the squad were eagerly looking forward to the first match of the West Indies’ International Season of cricket.
"The squad selected is a well balanced. The team is full of youngsters who are eager and ready to represent the West Indies team. Everyone is excited and looking forward to this match. It is a fresh start and should be an exciting start to this year of international cricket at home. This is an opportunity to showcase what we have and make a statement. We are all looking ahead to this Series against the Pakistanis."
The Windies had a full training session at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds on Wednesday and all the players looked fired up for the big occasion. Sammy also added that is was a special honour to lead the regional side infront of the fans in his native St Lucia.
"It is an honour to captain the West Indies team. This is my first series at home and my first match happens to be in St Lucia, my homeland. We are rebuilding now and .The slogan for the Digicel Series is ‘Wi [we] all in’ so it’s all all-out effort from everyone involved. As a team we want to go out there and deliver the goods for the West Indian people," he added.
"We have not been doing well of late. If we play to our ability we should do well. It is important to start the series here in St Lucia on a good note and move up," Sammy added.
The Pakistan side are also rebuilding and enter the Digicel limited-overs series without several experienced and seasoned campaigners. Coach Waqar Younis said it was a chance for some of the players on tour to establish themselves in international cricket.
He said: "We have brought some young cricketers on this tour. This is a rebuilding sort of phase. I hope these youngsters do well in the first class arena and do well on this trip."
West Indies squad for Digicel T20 International: Darren Sammy (Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons
Team Management Unit: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), David Williams (Assistant Coach), Desmond Haynes (Batting Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)
: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), David Williams (Assistant Coach), Desmond Haynes (Batting Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)
Digicel Series Schedule
April 21: Digicel Twenty20 – Beausejour Cricket Ground
Digicel ODI Series
April 23: First Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 25: Second Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 28: Third Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 2: Fourth Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 5: Fifth Digicel ODI – Guyana National Stadium
May 8-9: Two-day practice match – Bourda Cricket Ground
Digicel Tests
May 12-16: First Digicel Test – Guyana National Stadium
May 20-24: Second Digicel Test – Warner Park