Bridgetown, Barbados (CMC):
With everything at stake to play for, West Indies One-Day International (ODI) captain Shai Hope has ensured his troops are physically and mentally prepared for today’s crucial match against England at Kensington Oval.
The three-match series is tied at 1-1 after the West Indies won the opening ODI by eight wickets, only for England to pull off a brilliant chase and seal a five-wicket win in the second on Sunday.
Speaking during a pre-match interview at Kensington Oval yesterday, Hope said the provincial side understands the scale of the game, as they seek a second successive ODI series win at home over their arch rivals.
“It’s the deciding game of the series and the biggest game of the series. Unfortunately, we conceded in the last game but it was a great occasion for us and we understand that.
“We have a lot ahead of us and we understand that we have to play good cricket to beat England,” Hope told reporters.
He said the mood in the camp was upbeat and that the men were “excited and ready” to take the field in Mecca.
“We’re always mentally prepared. I think over the last few years, well, I would say more so in recent months, we’ve been playing really good cricket,” Hope said.
“We’ve had our ups and downs but I can definitely see some improvement in phases of the game. I think for us, we have to make sure that we always have that positive mentality, no matter what we do on the field, believe in our skills and understand that we are doing our best to ensure that we get For all the assets that can make it happen, go out there and perform for West Indies.
“But it’s always a good feeling, and the players are excited and ready to go. “We understand what’s at stake, a playoff series, so it’s final for us tomorrow,” he added.
Hope, who scored a sensational century in a losing cause in the last ODI, maintained that the Windies need to be more consistent with both the bat and the ball.
He said that although England’s ODI team was “very young and very inexperienced” they were still playing good cricket and the West Indies had to be at their best if they were to win.
“For us to be considered a great team or an elite team, we have to be consistent, we have to put performances together. It can’t always be one or two games in a series. “We have to make sure we seal it, and we have to play good cricket all the way through. ..Hop confirmed.
“We have to be more consistent and disciplined in our skills, and make sure that when we get to those crucial moments in the game, we embrace them.”
