Windies eyeing clean sweep

BULAWAYO – Already faced with the challenge of yet another turning track at Queens Sports Club, West Indies could now be forced to battle frigid temperatures, when they face Zimbabwe in the second and final Test here today.

The Caribbean side were confronted with 13 degree Celsius weather in training yesterday and the forecast for the next two days include more of the same along with the prospect of rain.

With the Queens pitch seemingly even drier than the first Test a week ago, West Indies could face a battle on two fronts as they look to complete a clean sweep of the series.

“I don’t think the pitch in itself will change much. I had a look at it yesterday and today, and it still seems really dry, and you can expect spinners to have a really good impact on the game again. We’re professional cricketers, we’re prepared to adjust and that’s what we have to do,” captain Jason Holder said.

Holder said with conditions as they were, he expected leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo to once again be a key cog in the Windies attack.

“I thought he was a lot better than previously. He’s come into these conditions, obviously they favour spin and he’s been able to get some success,” the all-rounder explained.

“He was able to come in, settle, apply pressure and not only apply pressure but grab wickets which is always crucial, and I expect nothing different from him in this game again. The conditions look to be in his favour so hopefully we can support again around him and leave him being the main man.”

West Indies have never lost a Test to Zimbabwe in eight meetings prior to the current series, winning six and drawing eight of those contests.

But Holder said there would be no slackening by his side as they looked to finish the series strongly.

“We’ve done some really good stuff since we’ve been here in Zimbabwe, following up a relatively decent tour of England,” he noted.

“I like the direction in which we are going. I think the guys are getting accustomed to the arena of Test cricket and everybody is slowly but surely champing at the bit and looking to set the world alight.” (CMC)