PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – West Indies have completed four days of outstanding work so far and Head Coach Ottis Gibson expects his team to finish off the job with a comprehensive victory over New Zealand on Friday’s final day.
After being beaten in the opening match in Jamaica, the Windies have been dominant and look set to record a series-levelling victory in second Test match at Queen’s Park Oval.
On Thursday’s fourth day, the Windies bowlers and fielders were brilliant – limiting the visitors to a second innings score of 257-8 off 127 overs – an overall lead of 18 runs with just two wickets in hand going into the final day.
Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn continued his impressive return to the international stage with the remarkable figures of 49-19-62-2 – including a brilliant one-handed catch off his own bowling. Fast bowlers Kemar Roach (21-6-53-3) and Jerome Taylor (25-8-46-2) were also outstanding with the new ball and the old ball.
“We had to toil hard and we knew we would have to toil hard but I’m proud of the way we have played in this match…the way we fought back after going 1-0 down in the first match at Sabina Park. Overall we had a good day and we will look to come back tomorrow and finish the job,” Gibson said after Thursday’s play.
“This is what Test cricket is all about…it is a test of your character, fitness levels and skills…we will come back and we will get the job done. We have played four really good days of cricket and we are confident. Throughout the days everyone stepped up when they were called upon and but we stayed strong for most of the day.”
Late on the fourth day, West Indies were frustrated by a stubborn unbroken ninth wicket stand between keeper B.J Watling and tailender Mark Craig – the pair having so far added 45 runs. Gibson said a victory in this match should set-up a crucial series-decider in Barbados, starting next Thursday.
“We needed a response and the guys have responded very well…credit to the players for the way they bounced back after Jamaica and we just have to make sure we get a win here and go to Barbados 1-1 and look to clinch the series there.”
FULL SQUAD
Denesh Ramdin (Captain)
Sulieman Benn
Jermaine Blackwood
Kraigg Brathwaite
Darren Bravo
Shiv Chanderpaul
Kirk Edwards
Shannon Gabriel
Chris Gayle
Jason Holder
Leon Johnson
Shane Shillingford
Kemar Roach
Jerome Taylor
TEAM MANAGEMENT
Ottis Gibson (Head Coach)
Sir Richard Richardson (Team Manager)
Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant)
Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach)
Andre Coley (Assistant 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)
SERIES SCHEDULE
June 8-12: First Test – New Zealand won by 186 runs at Sabina Park, Jamaica
June 16-20: Second Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
June 26-30: Third Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados
July 5: First T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica
July 6: Second T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica
