Skipper Holder calls for more improvement

AFTER WATCHING India’s batting juggernaut make a mockery of a 300-plus target in Guwahati last Sunday, West Indies captain Jason Holder has urged his side to improve on that effort, in order to challenge India in the second One-Day International here today.

West Indies did well to pile up 322 in the opening ODI after 21-year-old Shimron Hetmyer blasted 106 but Rohit Sharma (152 not out) and captain Virat Kohli (140) made light work of the run chase, to win it for India with over eight overs remaining.

So, even though pleased the Windies had scaled the rare heights of a score in excess of 300, Holder said it was important they bettered that performance, especially since India’s batting line-up knew no boundaries.

“We all see how the conditions can be here in India and the kind of scores you get here in limited overs cricket are quite high,” Holder told a media conference.

“So you’ve got to be hitting that 300-run barrier more often than not and sometimes a par score could be 320, 340 or 350, and you’ve got to bowl ridiculously well to come out and defend it.”

West Indies were given a hasty start in Guwahati by left-hander Kieran Powell who made 51 before Hetmyer arrived the smash halfdozen fours and sixes in a thrilling 78-ball knock.

The hundred was Hetmyer’s third this year and third in his career and Holder said he hoped the lefthander extended this form throughout the series and pushed on to score bigger hundreds.

“It’s good to see a young player come in and score runs and being consistent with it,” said Holder.

West Indies bowlers were put to the sword in the opening ODI. Veteran seamer Kemar Roach went at nearly 7.5 runs per over while debutant fast bowler Oshane Thomas leaked 83 runs from his nine overs.

The match bowls off at 1:30 p.m. (3 a.m. Ja time).

WINDIES SQUAD: Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Obed McCoy, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Oshane Thomas.

AP West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the first one-day international cricket match against India on Sunday.