DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Veteran right-hander Marlon Samuels believes West Indies’ disciplined approach to their batting on yesterday’s third day of the day/night opening Test, should be used as a template for the future to enhance their consistency in the game’s longest format.
The Caribbean side batted the entire day to reach 315 for six in their first innings, in reply to Pakistan’s mammoth 579 for three declared at the Dubai International Stadium.
Samuels was at the forefront of the effort with a classy 76 while stylish left-hander Darren Bravo top-scored with an ultra patient 87.
“We played Test cricket today. We were patient, we put away the bad balls and we were picking up singles here and there,” the 35-year-old reporters.
“This is Test cricket and this is the way it should be played so I think moving on we should use today as a team and try to be more consistent [in the future] in what we did today.”
Samuels was his usual attacking self, stroking 13 boundaries in an innings that lasted 139 deliveries and just under 3-¼ hours.
He put on a critical 113 for the third wicket with Bravo which pulled West Indies around from 69 for two in the day’s second over when they lost opener Kraigg Brathwaite for 32 before they added to their overnight score.
While disappointed at failing to reach three figures, Samuels said it had been important to to play a role in helping West Indies make a positive response.
“I would’ve loved to score a hundred against the pink ball but it didn’t happen,” he explained.
“But my main objective was to come and contribute significantly for the team. I would’ve wanted to get a hundred and go on and get a big one but it didn’t happen so we just have to carry on and focus on the rest of the runs that we need to get and the second innings as well.”
West Indies have endured a wretched time on tour, suffering humbling whitewashes in the preceding Twenty20 and One-Day International series.
And with the visitors hoping to redeem themselves in the three-Test series, Samuels said any success would depend heavily upon senior players like himself and Bravo.
“I would love to leave this series with some bigger contributions towards the team,” Samuels noted.
“We want to win the Test series so for us to win the Test series, between me and Bravo we have to come up big and score big for the team.”
