BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel is expected to overcome a groin worry and be fit enough to suit up for today’s final of the Tri-Nations Series against World champions Australia.
The 28-year-old produced an electrifying spell on Friday night to wipe out South Africa’s top order and hand West Indies a crucial 100-run victory in the final preliminary round game, which put them in the final.
He subsequently left the field with a groin injury and did not return but captain Jason Holder said the injury was not “anything too serious” and he expected Gabriel to be fit for today’s contest.
“He’s bowling really well so he’s obviously key for us,” Holder told media here.
“He went off with a bit of a niggle … but I just think it’s important that we hopefully get some rest for him so he is fit enough and ready to go on Sunday.”
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel sends back captain AB de Villiers during West Indies’ win over South Africa on Friday night.
Playing in only his second One-Day International, Gabriel snatched three wickets in a hostile five-over spell as South Africa collapsed for 185, in pursuit of the Windies’ 285 all out at Kensington Oval.
He accounted for opener Quinton de Kock (6), Faf du Plessis (3) and captain AB de Villiers (2) to leave the Proteas tottering on 28 for three in the eighth over – a position from which they never recovered.
“It was a very good performance. He did what we asked him to do: come in and be aggressive up front, set the tone and I thought he was very, very good, not only in this game but the last game I thought he had a very good debut as well,” Holder pointed out.
“Those three quick wickets he got up front for us were crucial – three big players for South Africa – I thought that really was the turning point in this game. I thought his spell was excellent and it was just important for me to support him at the next end.”
Gabriel made his debut in the first game here on Tuesday against Australia, again bowling with pace but picking up just one wicket on that occasion.
He replaced experienced Jamaican seamer Jerome Taylor who was dropped for the Barbados final leg of the Tri-Nations after taking just two wickets in the four previous games in the series.
“Shannon is obviously a good addition to our attack. He’s very, very quick, he’s probably expected to be little more aggressive and use the pace that he has. He’s channeled it in the right direction in the last two games and we just hope he keeps improving,” Holder noted.
“He’s only in his second game [in ODIs] and he’s relatively new to Test cricket. It’s important for Shannon to keep improving, keep working on his game and hopefully he’ll be around for a little while.”
Holder entered Friday’s game with some fitness doubts after suffering a left hamstring strain in the game against Australia.
However, he showed no ill-effects from the injury, bowling ten straight overs up front to help peg back the South Africans and is expected to be again fit enough for today’s final.
“It’s a bit sore, a bit tight but that’s expected,” Holder said of the affected hamstring. “This game [against South Africa] was very, very crucial so it was important I did my level best to get on the park.”
