Former West Indies captain, Sir Clive Lloyd says that although the West Indies team looked good in Bangladesh the team must continue its upward trend with the goal of beating the bigger teams.
Lloyd believes that West Indies should continue their positive form in the upcoming two-match test series against Sri Lanka in the Caribbean beginning tomorrow.
Lloyd, who appeared on the Mason and Guest radio programme earlier this week, projected this series as the continuation of a string of good performances with an eye towards the top ranked teams which he suggested the West Indies must start defeating.
“I think we looked good [in Bangladesh] and I think we should do well in the test matches that are coming up and not only that it gives us a chance to do well against the bigger, stronger teams coming through because we have to start beating the bigger teams and that will give the youngsters the impetus that is needed going forward,” he stated.
Lloyd described the performance in the recent limited over series as “wonderful,” pointing out that there were three centuries scored by West Indians as well as the amount of runs scored by the team.
“I believe it is because of the way our players played in Bangladesh, when the chips were down they got down, they put their heads down and batted intelligently so it galvanized the other guys to do the same. We had 274; 270-odd and we looked good. We batted well because we are getting that feeling, that professional attitude back and that I think its because of the guys winning in Bangladesh what gave them a bit of a lift and say `no we can’t lose and have to perform well,’” he stated.
Lloyd also spoke of the performances in the different departments.
“Our fielding at times could be a bit raggedy but the point is everything else is falling in place.”
The first Test begins tomorrow while the second Test is scheduled to bowl off on March 29. Both are booked for North Sound, Antigua.
