SAMMY BACKS WINDIES TO BOUNCE BACK
MUMBAI, India:. est Indies captain Darren Sammy says his side can resist the groundswell of sentiment that will accompany the second Test against India, which got under way today, and find redemption with a victory.
The second Test has been transformed into the great farewell for India’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar. He will be playing an unprecedented 200th and final Test for his homeland on familiar territory at the Wankhede Stadium, and the emotions are likely to be high among his fans, hoping for a final glimpse of his mastery.
The Windies trail 0- 1 in the two- Test series, following an innings and 51- run defeat inside three days in the first Test that ended last Friday at Eden Gardens in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.
But Sammy said his side’s objective was clear, earn a series- levelling victory that would invariably spoil Tendulkar’s retirement party and prove against the No. 3 Test side in the World that No. 6 West Indies were a side moving in the upward direction in the world rankings.
“We had a couple training sessions over the last few days and they have been going well,” Sammy said. “We have all been working very hard. We are all disappointed about our performance in the previous Test
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“However, our plan is to win the game ... we don’t want to depend on the results in other games to decide our fate, we want to do the work ourselves.”
In Group Two, former champions Garvey Maceo Technical High School placed themselves in a commanding position to grab one of the group’s two semifinal slots, after registering a 2- 0 win over struggling Manchester in their game at the Kirkvine Sports Club.
In the other Group Two game, Port Antonio battled back into contention with a 3- 0 win over surprise- package Muschett on a muddy playing surface at Carder Park, in Portland. The win pulled Port Antonio to three points, the same as Muschett.
“The game should not have been played in that mud hole,” said Pastor Hugh Solomon.
“We tried to get ISSA to call off the game, but we were unsuccessful ... the game was on television for all to the see ... the playing conditions were disgraceful.” and we all admitted we are a better than side than what we displayed in Kolkata.
“It’s about us now putting it right out on the pitch and fighting hard for each other and the people of the Caribbean. We are looking to put a much improved performance in the second Test.” “We have all been in this situation before and we have always bounced back. We have to keep believing in ourselves and in our ability, and keep mentally focussed when we are out on the field.
“When the going gets tough, we have to just battle things out. . . Trust our technique and be mentally tougher to weather the storms that pop up. Once we can do this and keep playing sensibly, there is no reason why we can’t improve and go on to win this Test here.”
West Indies plans were set back on the weekend, when key fast bowler Kemar Roach was ruled out of the remainder of the series with a shoulder injury.
Fellow fast bowler Shannon Gabriel arrived on Monday to replace Roach.
Sammy said rather than cry over Roach’s absence, it meant that another bowler has the opportunity to shine brightly for the Windies and lead the team to a memorable victory.
“We will make do with the bowlers that we have here,” he said. “Whatever 11 goes out on to the field must have a positive mindset that they can take 20 wickets against India.”