Nash says Windies batters need to make up in second innings

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – West Indies vice-captain Brendan Nash has lamented his side’s poor batting and says they will have to make the most of their second innings opportunity.

Nash was speaking after he top-scored with 62 in the Windies’ paltry 176 all out after they opted to bat first on the opening day of the three-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI at the Sinhalese Sports Club yesterday.

“There is a lot of time left in the match. We want to see how we can make some more inroads into their batting and then try to make better use when we get a second chance to bat,” said the Jamaican left-hander.

“It is a good pitch and a fast outfield but we did not quite get going today. Shiv (Chanderpaul) and myself batted well together and (Adrian) Barath also showed signs that he was going to hang in there.

“(Andre) Russell also played well in his first match for the West Indies, but overall we did not do as well as we should have. We have the second innings to get it right.”

West Indies were in trouble at 29 for three within the first hour before Nash and Chanderpaul (33) added 81 for the fourth wicket to guide their side out of difficulty.

However, when both fell, the innings plunged into a tailspin and never emerged as the tourists lost their last seven wickets for 66 runs.

“I was a little scratchy at the start but I was happy I spent some much-needed time at the crease and got used to the conditions here in Sri Lanka,” said Nash.

“I wanted to go on and get a bigger score for the team. The time I spent in the middle should serve me well in the Test matches. We have to learn from today and make sure we don’t make similar mistakes in the Test matches.”

Despite the below-par batting performance, Nash said the Windies had hit back well to leave the President’s XI on 59 for three.
“Their top four batsmen came out and played their shots, but our bowlers were able to get three of them and that brought us right back into the match,” he noted.

“Their plan was obviously to come hard at us in the final session, but we bowled well and bowled fast and got wickets which we deserved.”