GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) – West Indies Take a look at captain Kraigg Brathwaite says self-discipline, defending balls and stayin on the crease for prolonged intervals will probably be key for his squad as they search to fight the Sri Lankan spin assault and finish the yr with a victory of their remaining Take a look at right here on Monday.
He mentioned if the group can follow the sport plan, they’ll bounce again and win the second Take a look at to keep away from one other collection loss.
“The plan is to be clear on what you need to do and consider that you are able to do it…and do it for lengthy intervals as nicely…. I feel that’s the important thing. We gotta have the self-discipline and the struggle to do it for over two periods, over three periods. I feel that’s crucial for us,” the Windies skipper mentioned forward of the match.
“I feel self-discipline is admittedly the important thing…. We bowled a variety of dangerous balls and we didn’t bat that nicely in that first sport in any respect and it’s nearly getting the 2 to mix, and the earlier we will do this and the extra constant we will do this, that may be very, very essential.”
West Indies misplaced the primary Take a look at at Galle Worldwide Stadium by 187 runs after their prime order fared badly, managing solely 100 for six within the first innings and slumping to 18 for six within the second.
Regardless of middle-order batter Nkrumah Bonner’s second-innings 220-ball, four-and-a-half-hour defiant knock, and wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva’s supporting struggle within the decrease order after the Caribbean males resumed the ultimate day on 52-6, West Indies had been unable to beat the house aspect.
However Brathwaite mentioned the group had discovered some classes from Bonner and Da Silva that will probably be helpful within the subsequent Take a look at.
“By way of how they had been capable of manoeuvre completely different balls was an excellent instance for us, and simply the struggle that they confirmed. Coming again into that final sport, they usually bringing us from [18 for 6], I feel that was commendable. As a batting group, wanting on it was good to see, and clearly one thing to study from going ahead for positive,” the right-handed batsman mentioned.
“I feel Bonner and Josh confirmed that upon getting a strong defence, whether or not entrance foot or again foot, and you set the hassle in and the power into doing it, you’ll achieve success. It’s solely generally when doubt is available in, that’s when you can slip up a bit….however you realize it’s simply to make sure and to belief that defence mainly. That’s what the fellows did for all that interval they batted. Dangerous balls will bowl and you’ll get runs. We did it nicely partially, it’s simply to do it for an prolonged interval now.
“We had a variety of discussions and one necessary factor is that you simply’ve received to defend a variety of balls. So, I feel having a straight bat is one factor we mentioned which might be crucial, and sweeping as nicely, particularly the offspinner. Nevertheless it’s simply to be clear and be assured in whether or not [you’re playing] ahead or again,” he added.
Brathwaite acknowledged that beating Sri Lank wouldn’t be simple, however doable.
“We didn’t do pretty much as good as we will do as a group, so we all know it will likely be a problem. However we’re up for the duty and we all know the place we now have to enhance. First innings whole as a batting unit is essential, particularly in these situations and we all know what we now have to do and enhance on for positive,” he mentioned.
The West Indies skipper added that successful the upcoming Take a look at is necessary, particularly given it will likely be the final alternative this yr to get factors to go in direction of the World Take a look at Championship.
Of the three video games up to now, West Indies have gained one and misplaced two.
“So it’s necessary to complete sturdy, when it comes to 2021, and be totally centered…. As soon as we will follow our plan as batters and bowlers and fielders, we are going to do nicely,” Brathwaite mentioned.
“I feel we confirmed good progress in 2021. It was not an excellent collection towards South Africa. We bounced again respectable towards Pakistan. In Bangladesh we gained that collection 2-nil. It’s a respectable yr up to now. Successful this sport…will probably be very essential from a factors standpoint for the Take a look at Championship. I feel as a group we’ve made some strides and I feel that’s most necessary. As soon as the group stays collectively and retains constructing that unit, I feel that’s essential for the group however ending nicely right here is essential for us,” he added.