Sport | Cricket
West Indies need to stay positive and focused in next three games
The next three games of West Indies will be some of the most important games played by the team in recent times. A good performance in all three games might get them to the next stage, and they must stay positive and focused. I am sure they are aware that even if they do win all their games, it might not be enough for the next round.
- By Viv Richards, Gameplan
- Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
The next three games of West Indies will be some of the most important games played by the team in recent times. A good performance in all three games might get them to the next stage, and they must stay positive and focused. I am sure they are aware that even if they do win all their games, it might not be enough for the next round.
However, that is an eventuality that they must not dwell on at the moment. Staying positive is what is important, because today they meet a tough side that has just been stung by an unlikely upset.
The defeat of South Africa at the hands of Bangladesh must be hurting, and I am sure Graeme Smith and his team must be looking to restore pride with a good win against the West Indies.
Bangladesh has proved that it cannot be written off because it does have talented individuals who on their day can take on the best teams. The youngster who scored 87 against South Africa, Mohammad Ashraful, is an exciting talent with a tremendous eye.
The South Africans looked a little below par, and I don't know whether it was complacency or the slowness of the pitch, but their batsmen looked very flat right from the start of the chase.
Must-win situation
The Bangladesh win has really opened up the Super Eights, with four teams fighting for two slots. Before the South Africa-Bangladesh game, there was the assumption that Smith's team was virtually in the semis, but now the Proteas too are in a virtual must-win situation.
The key in today's game is a good start for the West Indies batsmen. A good opening partnership is pretty essential in these conditions, and the only team that has been getting them regularly is Australia, and the results speak for themselves. Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have shown flashes of good form, but they need to stay in through the early overs. The South Africans have some problems in the bowling, with Shaun Pollock performing far below his reliable self.
As usual lots of news is emanating from India. I would only like to say that the way forward must factor in the truth that it was just one off day at work that eliminated the Indians.
The South Africans too lost to Bangladesh - proof that the latter cannot be taken lightly anymore. Plenty is happening in Mumbai, and I would like to get a clearer idea of the events, once the dust has settled before commenting on the merits or demerits of the changes that the Indian board is ringing in.
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Football
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
A total of 970 scored in four editions
Sport Editor's choice
-
No Dubai bout for Pacquiao
Revenue source for blockbuster fights is prime time US pay-per-view TV
-
Core combat: Work out with a punch
Xpress reports on an innovative work-out session that's become a huge hit in Dubai
-
Indoor golf in the UAE
Virtual golf: Beat the heat and play your regular round at home
