Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fingers crossed

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CENTURION – Chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd believes the West Indies can overcome their shortage of preparation matches and excel in the three-Test series against world No. 1 South Africa starting tomorrow at SuperSport Stadium.

The legendary former West Indies captain, who has lamented that there was only one warm-up match on the tour, said he hoped the younger players especially grasped the opportunity presented and capitalised on it.

“Not playing a lot of games leading up to the Test match is a bit of a worry but I am confident they will do very well.

“We saw how Marlon Samuels and Devon Smith played so beautifully in the warm-up match and that has given the team confidence,” said Lloyd.

“It is the younger batsmen I want to see take this opportunity.

“We have the batsmen, and if they apply themselves, this will be a very good series. We want to play against the best and do well against the best.

“We are missing some of our seasoned players and I want to see the youngsters come out and fight. Representing your country is probably the most important thing you can be called upon to do.”

West Indies suffered two major blows to their batting prior to the tour, with veteran opener Chris Gayle and top-order batsman Darren Bravo opting out.

However, Lloyd said playing against Test cricket’s No. 1 side should provide enough motivation for the unproven players to perform.

“This is a chance for youngsters to go out there and show their mettle. They are playing against one of the best teams in the world. That alone should galvanise them to do well,” he said.

“We have youngsters here who we feel are good enough. Wherever we go, West Indies players are still respected because of what we achieved over the years and now they have their own era to work on. I hope that they do.

“This is the best stage you can have. It’s a wonderful country, terrific people and they love sport. If you can make a name for yourself here, you’re on a roll, and on the way to big things ahead.”

Meanwhile, captain Denesh Ramdin acknowledged that it won’t be easy playing against the world’s best team at a venue where the hosts have won 14 of 19 Tests.

“It’s going to be a tough tour for us. Our last memory of being here was that we won the first Test match, but then didn’t show the [necessary] fight and determination throughout the series . . . Hopefully, we can take some experience from that and play some positive cricket.”

The West Indies last toured South Africa in 2007/08 when they won their opening Test, but were beaten heavily in the second and third Tests.

The West Indies batting will lean on veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Samuels, who was the top run-scorer on the last tour of South Africa.

There is more optimism about the bowling line-up, in which left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell – a private in the Jamaica Defence Force – has been added to a seam department that includes Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder.

“He is always very enthusiastic and, being a soldier, I think he is fit enough and he wants to play,” Lloyd said of Cottrell. “Left-hand quicks don’t come often and he is somebody we need to nurture and take along with us as long as possible. He could be very lively.”

But Lloyd criticised the shortage of warm-up games, saying the modern-day itineraries left little room for player development. (CMC)

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