BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Captain Dwayne Bravo says West Indies are more focussed on building their unit in preparation for next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup, than completing a series whitewash over Bangladesh.
The regional side enters today’s third and final One-Day International against Bangladesh with a 2-0 lead after big wins in their previous games but Bravo insists their motivation to win has nothing to do with thoughts of a clean sweep.
“We just want to focus on one game at a time. Yes we’ve won the series but we want to improve on our last performance and keep improving as a team,” the all-rounder told reporters here Sunday.
“So if we win the next game, yes it’s a whitewash but it’s not the main reason we want to play tomorrow. We’re building towards the World Cup in 2015 so we’re just trying to play as much cricket together as a group and win as much games as possible.
“We want to finish the series strongly and win the third game as well but … it’s just about being the best one-day team we can be. We will keep encouraging the guys to achieve greatness and just look forward to the last game tomorrow.”
West Indies won the opening game last Wednesday by three wickets at the National Stadium in Grenada before crushing the Bangladeshis by 177 runs in the second contest three days later at the same venue.
The pair of victories gave the regional side an unassailable lead in the three-match series, ahead of the day/night game at Warner Park which bowls off at 2:30 p.m.
West Indies have made just one addition to their original 13-man squad, with livewire Jamaican all-rounder Andre Russell called up for the encounter.
Russell is a lively seamer, a robust lower-order hitter and an excellent out-fielder.
“We all know his all-round abilities. I personally believe he’s one of the best all-rounders in the region and I’m always happy to have someone like Andre among the squad,” Bravo explained.
“It’s good. It will bring a lot of competition to the unit as guys know they have to perform to stay in the team as well but we all just want to support each other.
“Andre is always welcome in our squad. We know what he brings, that all-round ability to bat, bowl and field and his off-field attitude is good as well.”
Despite the change of venue, Bravo said he did not expect the conditions to play a huge role in the encounter.
“We’ve just come out of the CPL so the wicket might be a little bit tired now but it’s always a good wicket here in St Kitts,” the Trinidadian noted.
“It’s good for cricket, good for fast bowling and batting as well. Yes, it’s on the smaller side but it’s a day/night game and I hope the fans come out and support us.”
