Pooran anticipating batting improvement

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Nicholas Pooran expects an improved showing from West Indies, especially in the batting department, as the Caribbean side chase a rare series win against India in the third Twenty20 International here today.

West Indies won the opener in Trinidad last week by four runs before securing a nervy two-wicket victory in the second T20 International at the National Stadium here Sunday, to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

While praising the effort by bowlers in restricting India’s batsmen, Pooran said there was still more to come from West Indies’ batsmen.

“I think at the moment we’re doing really well in patches,” said Pooran, whose 67 in the second game led West Indies’ successful pursuit of 152.

“We’re bowling extremely well, I must say kudos to the guys. Everyone is putting their hands up in the bowling department.

“[In] the batting, we’re getting there every single game. Everyone wants to perform and wants to win games, which is important.

“I’m expecting a better batting performance from everyone because I know they want to perform for us.”

Despite their winning start to the series, West Indies’ only bright spark in the batting has been Pooran, the left-hander scoring 41 in the opener at Brian Lara Stadium.

And while captain Rovman Powell top-scored with 48 in that game, the batting has been lacklustre, with players getting starts but failing to carry on.

Of concern for West Indies will be the type of collapses like what occurred in the last game when four wickets tumbled for three runs in the space of 13 deliveries, to nearly derail the chase.

Today represents a massive chance for the Caribbean side to win their first multi-game series against India in seven years but Pooran said they were now accustomed to such pressure.

“We’ve been under pressure in T20 cricket since we won those two World Cups,” Pooran pointed out.

“It’s all about focusing on what we can control and just getting better at our skills, game awareness and trying to put a complete performance together.”

He continued: “We haven’t won anything (the series) yet. It’s all about recovering and coming back on Tuesday, putting on a performance and winning the game.”

The series will conclude with the final two T20 Internationals at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Florida next weekend.