3 T20IS, 3 ODIS AND 3 TESTS TO BE PLAYED IN ABU DHABI, DUBAI, SHARJAH
est Indies underwent their first training session in Dubai yesterday after having arrived in the UAE well ahead of their much-anticipated cricket series against Pakistan.
The Windies have taken a special liking to the ICC Cricket Academy facility at the Dubai Sports City which they have booked to get acclimatised to the conditions a week before the series takes off on September 23.
They begin their campaign with a warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) XI at the ICC Cricket Academy on September 20 before they play three T20 Internationals (two in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi), three One Day Internationals (two in Sharjah and one in Abu Dhabi) and the same number of Tests (one each in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah), which also include the first-ever daynight Test using the Pink ball at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
They are also scheduled to play warm-up games against ECB XI, between the second and third ODI, and against Pakistan Cricket Board Patron’s XI before the start of the Test series on October 17.
“It’s always enjoyable to use the fantastic facilities here. The players enjoy spending quality time getting used to the conditions,” said West Indies media manager Philip Spooner.
The players and the coaching staff stayed away from the media on the opening day of their training and went through their paces for nearly three hours. Meanwhile, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Wednesday sprang a surprise when they sacked their coach, Phil Simmons, and handed team manager Joel Garner charge of the team for the UAE tour.
Early sessions
“We are the world champions and the aim for the team is to win and keep the momentum going,” added Spooner.
“We used the facilities before departing to the World Twenty20 in India and we had great success there, so we are hoping this time the team will benefit from the early training sessions.”
The West Indies have opted for an additional spinner with the inclusion of Ashley Nurse for the tour.
“We have two good spinners who top the rankings — Samuel Badree (T20I) and Sunil Narine (ODI) — and that should say a lot about the team.”
Maqbul Dudhia, general manager of Dubai Sports City, said: “We are very pleased that the T20 World Cup champions have decided to come in early and take advantage of our topclass facilities here at the ICC Academy.
“The West Indies came earlier
West Indies media manager
this year ahead of their World Cup-winning campaign at the World T20 India 2016, and it proved to have been a useful stint. The West Indies are familiar with our academy having used it on several occasions, and they will have full access to all our various training areas and equipment during their time here in the UAE.”
The Pakistan team is scheduled to arrive in the UAE tomorrow.
West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite has urged his players to adapt quickly to the hot and dry conditions in the UAE ahead of their three-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan.
The West Indies team arrived here on Thursday full of confidence, reports CMC.
The Caribbean side open the tour with a warm-up game against an Emirates Cricket Board XI on Tuesday before facing Pakistan in the opening T20 International three days later at the Dubai International Stadium.
With temperatures expected to soar to nearly 39 degrees Celsius at the weekend, Brathwaite said it was important the West Indies focused intensely on their preparation so they could execute when required.
“It wasn’t as hot earlier in the year but apparently we’re smack dab in the middle of their summer now so it can get very, very hot,” Brathwaite said, referencing the Windies T20 World Cup training camp staged here earlier in the year.
“It is for the players to prepare well, manage themselves well off the field — rehydrationwise, getting enough rest.”
“Each and every one of us are professionals and we know what our bodies need to be at optimal strength to perform so it’s just about us doing the things we need to do off the field — planning well, preparing well, practicing well and then evidently performing when the games come.”
The West Indies start the series as favourites, especially after crowning themselves world champions six months ago in India.
Series victory
“I think this is another important series. We just defeated India and it would be a fantastic boost for the Caribbean people for us to come to Dubai, which has been Pakistan’s home for the last few years, come into their backyard and get a series victory against them as well,” the all-rounder noted.
“It would say a lot about us as a team — going overseas and contesting a three-game series and coming out on top.”
The West Indies underwent a light gym and pool session on Thursday and will have their first full training session on Friday.
Their tour was thrown into upheaval just before their departure from the Caribbean on Tuesday when head coach Phil Simmons was sacked by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).