Clinical Windies satisfy Holder
Mattocks motivated by star striker’s DC United arrival
Captain Jason Holder has praised his side’s “clinical” all-round performance, which earned them an emphatic innings-and-219-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening Test last Friday. West Indies fast bowlers blew away the tourists for a historic low 43 in their first innings inside the first session on the opening day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground before the batsmen piled up 406 in reply.
The hosts then dismissed the Bangladeshis for 144 in their second innings, about 15 minutes before lunch on the third day to complete a comprehensive victory.
“I’m happy overall with the performance. I felt we bowled and batted well in this Test match, [and] we also supported bowlers in the field,” Holder told media afterwards.
“I think it was a clinical performance, and looking ahead to the next Test match in Jamaica, I expect the Bangladeshis to come back firing and come at us pretty hard. It’s just a matter of us being consistent and maintaining the pressure we set on them.”
EFFECTIVE BATTLE
Seamer Kemar Roach produced a superb Man-of-the-Match performance in the opening hour of the Test, snatching five wickets for eight runs to cripple Bangladesh.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s seventh Test hundred then formed the foundation of the Windies’ first innings as they effectively batted Bangladesh out of the contest.
“I think the opening burst by Kemar and also Shannon (Gabriel) really set the tone for us. I was able to come in and get a few wickets at the end, and obviously Miguel Cummins got three wickets in the first innings as well,” Holder pointed out.
He added: “I think it was a good opportunity for everybody to get a chance in the middle. We wanted to give them as much time to spend some time in the middle. Unfortunately, really only one of our batsmen missed out, and that’s Roston (Chase), but hopefully in Jamaica he can come to the party.”
The second Test bowls off at Sabina Park on Thursday.
DC United top scorer Darren Mattocks says he is not worried about the arrival of former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney to the MLS Club and is focusing on achieving the 20-goal target that he set at the start of the season. Mattocks, who was traded from Portland Timbers in December, has been impressive since the start of the MLS campaign, bagging eight goals in 13 games – basically one third of his team’s goals so far this season. The Jamaican international, who only managed a combined 23 starts over the last two seasons with the Timbers, has been enjoying increased opportunities in the US capital, but that might soon change with the arrival of Rooney, who is currently training with the team in an effort to return to fitness.
MOTIVATED BY ROONEY
However, Mattocks says he is motivated by Rooney’s addition and believes the former English striker can help the team to a successful season. “It definitely motivates me for sure. Whoever comes in with that load of experience and knowledge about the game, it’s definitely going to help the team. I am not going to look at it as ‘Oh, what, it’s going to do to affect me personally,’ because at the end of the day, it’s a team game,” Mattocks said in an interview with the league’s website.
“But at the same time, the current form that I am in and the aim that I want to achieve for myself, whoever comes in, I’m still going to do my best to achieve the goals I set for myself,” added Mattocks, who earlier told STAR Sports that he intends to score at least 20 goals this season.
He added that the faith shown in him by the DC United management has also served as a motivator.
“It felt different. For me, I felt like I was given more of an opportunity, and that’s pushed me even more to repay these guys who brought me here,” Mattocks added.