West Indies Test head coach Daren Sammy has declared his squad ready for the challenge ahead, expressing confidence in his team’s preparation as the first of two Tests against Sri Lanka bowled off this morning at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
“We Know the Surface”
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sport Show ahead of the first Test, Sammy drew on the West Indies’ familiarity with the North Sound venue as a source of confidence, while outlining the specific tactical work the management team has undertaken in preparing for the visitors. “We know the surface at Sir Vivian Richards and what it brings. We watched the four-day games played there and the pace and bounce that’s in the wickets. We know the attack Sri Lanka brings,” he said.
Pace Arsenal Ready to Fire
The coach pointed to Antigua’s traditionally favourable conditions for pace bowling as the platform upon which West Indies intend to build their challenge. “They’ve got some quality batters, hence we have our pace attack in Alzarri, the two Josephs and the experience of Roach. We’ve been really tactical for the bowlers in being consistent on that six metre length, watching film on the opposition batters and where we could exploit their weaknesses,” Sammy said.
Batting the Area of Focus
Sammy was candid about where the team needs to improve, pointing to batting application as the priority for this series. “For the batting, which is something that has been letting us down, is to be able to bat for long periods,” he said — an acknowledgement that the West Indies’ ability to build substantial innings will be just as important as their pace attack’s ability to dismiss Sri Lanka’s top order.
