KOLKATA – Fast bowler Jerome Taylor says West Indies will use Thursday’s warm-up loss to hosts India as a learning experience and hit back strongly when the Twenty20 World Cup bowls off.
West Indies were soundly beaten by India by 45 runs at Eden Gardens, after suffering a batting collapse while chasing a target of 186.
“We can look at the batting and the way we lost wickets. Wickets kept falling in clusters, so I guess that’s one area we can improve on,” Taylor told reporters.
“As a team, we are working towards one common goal, which is winning, and there’s always room for improvement. We will go back to the drawing boards and come again after this game.”
He added: “If you want to be in the finals, you have to improve each and every time you go out on the park, so we’ll look to improve in all departments of the game – batting, bowling and fielding.”
India got up to 185 for five off their 20 overs, with opener Rohit Sharma anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 98 off 57 deliveries.
Taylor led the attack with two for 26, while left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn finished with two for 30.
The Jamaican said despite the loss, the squad was in a great mood, especially coming off a two-week camp in the United Arab Emirates.
“We have been playing cricket over the last week, two weeks. It’s a happy camp, to be honest with you,” Taylor said.
“The guys are gelling together and they are upbeat about this tournament. They are just sharing each other’s experience . . . .
“This is a fantastic experience for us as well and I hope we can take a lot from this and bounce back again.”
Taylor said the defeat would not dent the side’s confidence, but would enhance their preparation to face India later in the competition, if such a meeting arose.
“It has provided us with an insight as to what India are going to be like, so there’s a lot to take from this game . . . so that if we do come up against India again we can give a good account of ourselves.” (CMC)
