Pooran wants confidence of series win against Bangladesh
Published:Thursday | July 7, 2022 | 12:08 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
WEST INDIES white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran says he hopes his team can put in another commanding performance and wrap up the T20 series against Bangladesh in today’s third and final match in Guyana starting at 12:30 p.m.
The home side is coming off a comfortable 35-run win in game two in Dominica to enter today’s final contest of the series with a one-nil lead.
While the Windsor Park surface titillated the batsmen, the Guyana National Stadium may be a bit unpredictable after constant showers made it difficult for ground staff to do as much preparatory work on the surface as they would have liked.
Just recently, the Women’s regional tournament saw many of the teams struggle to post decent totals, and if that is anything to go by, today’s contest may be a low-scoring one, weather permitting.
“Once we can assess the conditions fast and keep a positive mindset, then anything can happen on the day. I do believe in our batsmen, and we have the skills to assess on the day and get the results for the team,” said Pooran.
Pooran is also hoping that his charges can remain professional and close out the series convincingly, with assignments against India and New Zealand on the horizon.
HOPING FOR A WIN
“As a team, we spoke about winning games and series. If we can get a series win here, it will be wonderful for us and give us the confidence to play India and New Zealand,” said Pooran.
The West Indies may opt to play the same team that secured victory in game two, with Kyle Mayers and Brandon King at the top of the order and Shamarh Brooks, Pooran, and Rovman Powell filling out the batting positions.
The all-rounders Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, and Keemo Paul should be followed by the bowlers Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, and Hayden Walsh Jnr.
If the surface proves to be low and turning, Bangladesh may opt to hand off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz a game to complement the experienced Shakib Al Hasan, who is the first cricketer to score 2000 runs and take more than 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.