Windies gunning for whitewash, says Russell

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – All-rounder Andre Russell said Thursday West Indies were eyeing a whitewash after brushing aside New Zealand by nine wickets in the opening One-Day International of the five-match series at Sabina Park.

Set a revised target of 136 off 33 overs after a two-hour rain break during their innings, West Indies cruised to victory off 24.2 overs, to take a 1-0 lead in the series which continues on Saturday with the second game at the same venue.

Russell said starting the series on a winning note could now set the tone for a total domination of the remaining four matches.

“I think it’s very good for West Indies cricket now because it’s a while we haven’t won a series and we came very close to winning a series against Australia where they were the top team,” said Russell.

“This is the time now when we can make use of the resource we have. We have a very good team, we’re playing at home and we have all the home advantage. I’m looking at a whitewash at the moment.”

He continued: “If we had lost this game we couldn’t be thinking about a whitewash so we just have to take it game by game and step by step.