KANDY, Sri Lanka, CMC – West Indies will attempt to avoid their second straight whitewash on Sri Lankan soil when they take on the hosts in today’s final One-Day International.
Five years ago, the Caribbean wide were swept 3-0 with the decisive third victory also coming here in the central Sri Lankan city.
And though the visitors have already conceded the three-match series following defeats in Colombo and Hambantota, head coach Phil Simmons does not anticipate any problems motivating West Indies for the finale.
“My players have no problems being motivated,” Simmons told a media conference ahead of the encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
“So whatever happened in the last two games does not hinder the motivation of the players.
“We didn’t turn up for the [last] game. We didn’t bowl well and dropped too many catches. And in the batting we didn’t put an innings together chasing 340-odd.
“I think it was one of those days where all three facets of the game went wrong but all we can do is continue to work as we have been working hard before so we can correct it [on Sunday].”
Searching for their first ever series win in Sri Lanka, West Indies suffered disappointment in the opening game when they went down by one wicket defending 289, in a contest that ended in the last over.
The second defeat was far more comprehensive, however, West Indies crashing to a heavy 161-run loss last Wednesday, in pursuit of 346.
Despite those results, Simmons said they were aspects of both games which had been encouraging for West Indies and which they needed to now build on.
“From the first game, definitely the way we fought back after [conceding] 78 off the first 10 overs and in the second one, the way that we bowled in the first 10 overs,” Simmons explained.
“So if we can put the two of them together [for Sunday], then we can get a complete 50 overs.
“I think batting-wise, we batted well in the first one-dayer where we put partnerships together. [In the] second one we didn’t do any of that.”
West Indies were let down my loose fielding especially in the last game, highlighted by captain Kieron Pollard putting down Kusal Mendis on two, and the right-hander cashing in to register his second ODI hundred.
And Simmons said the fielding was an area which the Windies had given much attention in recent times.
“It is something we are working extremely hard on and we’re trying to get everyone to enjoy the day in the field so that’s where we’re going to change things.”
SQUADS:
SRI LANKA – Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana.
WEST INDIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
