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Sports News

Article Date: Jun 27, 2008

Windies Hope To Take Back One Day Series Today

Source: trinidadexpress.com
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The medical report is encouraging. Not everyone is 100 per cent, but word from the doctor is that everyone will report for duty today.

 

At a time when a plethora of injuries have continuously affected West Indies over the past ten days, it is welcome news ahead of the second Digicel One-Day International against Australia at the Queen's Park Stadium here in Grenada.

 

The MRI scan on Xavier Marshall's shoulder has revealed no significant damage. Shivnarine Chanderpaul is ready to return after missing two matches with a calf injury. Ramnaresh Sarwan is fighting away with his groin injury.

 

And Chris Gayle has made some progress with his long-term groin injury over the past few days.

"I'm feeling good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow [today]. The injury is getting better. I'm feeling much better over the last couple of days," the captain said,

"I gave you guys ten overs. I'm trying to play my part and also give the team a good start.

"The majority of the senior players are carrying injuries. Not everybody is 100 per cent. Sarwan wasn't even supposed to play in the last game, but he stuck it out and gave it his all."

 

You only had to look around in the nets yesterday to see that everyone was not fully fit.

Fidel Edwards' right knee was heavily bandaged and fellow fast bowler Jerome Taylor had an ice-pack on his shoulder.

 

With the injury update out of the way, it's time to focus on the game itself.  What emerged yesterday is that West Indies may be inclined to try a different strategy if they won the toss.

 

In five matches against Australia this season, they have fielded first on every occasion.

 

"It's something I have to think about. Sometimes I want to bat first. You want to turn it around a bit. We have to look at it--try and set a total on the board," Gayle said.

"When you bat second, you are under pressure. Sometimes we have to look to bat first and try and put the opposition under pressure.

"Australia tend to bat first in the majority of the games, whether it is a Test match or a one-day. It is something we have to look at, try and bat first. I don't make the decision. I ask the guys and I do whatever they say."

 

West Indies can look back at history and take some comfort as they try to level the series.

 

Five years ago at this very location, they beat Australia twice when chasing and comfortably won on the back of centuries from Wavell Hinds in both matches.

 

Gayle himself also played a key role in the second match with a five-wicket haul and a half-century. 

"I remember those two games...it was good. We batted second twice and beat them and Gayle picked up a five-wicket haul here," he said,

"We played good all-round cricket against Australia here. It is just for us to continue in the same vein. It's an important game.

"We obviously want to square the series and try and bounce back as quickly as possible. We don't want them to get away to a 2-0 lead."

 

West Indies hardly turned up for the opening match in St Vincent which they lost by 84 runs when chasing a target of 274.

 

The positive from it is that lessons were learnt.

 

It was a match in which they tried several variations in the field. They included Gayle using the new ball for a solitary over, Sarwan bowling at the end and, most significantly, Edwards getting only three overs in which he went for 22.

 

"We all know what the Australians are capable of. They tend to like the ball coming onto the bat more. They just got the better of Fidel early up," Gayle said.

"I don't know if it was a plan or some sort of strategy. We bowled badly. We gave them too many half-volleys. There is no secret. They got off to a flyer and it gave them a bit more confidence early. In the end, we had to go about it with the slower bowlers."

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