http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 for improved performances – Cricket News Update
Following their complete dominance during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s recent tour of the United States and the West Indies, head coach Ottis Gibson has praised the Windies for their recent competitive performances, stating that the team is "on the right track".
"The players are working hard and deserve their success. I want to give them credit. They deserve to be excited about their achievements," he said.
The West Indies have long been considered a struggling side on the international stage, following the retirement of veteran cricketers and the absence of experienced players such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JE-Taylor-c1682 (owing to varied reasons)
from the squad.
However, the team underwent a complete overhaul with the induction of younger players in the squad, the recruitment of Gibson (then serving as England's bowling coach) as head coach in January 2010, and the appointment of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382 as team captain in
October 2010.
The changes appear to have had an effect on team performances, which have taken a distinct upward turn this year. The West Indies kicked off 2012 with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s tour of the Caribbean. Counted among the strongest sides in international cricket, the Aussies
were expected to dominate the series, but the Windies put up a surprisingly competitive performance.
Then the ICC’s top ODI team, Australia were given a run for their money as the Windies forced the 5-match ODI series to end on a draw, with the visitors narrowly escaping defeat. The 2-match T20I series spelled a similar fate for the visitors, ending 1-1.
However, the hosts were not as luck in the Test series – despite maintaining a dominant stance at various stage throughout the matches, the extended-overs series eventually ended 2-0 (3) in favour of Australia.
What followed was a disastrous tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, during which the Windies failed to win a single match. However, the ensuing series against New Zealand saw them breaking their losing streak in spectacular fashion, as they went on to deny the Kiwis a series
win in every format of the game.
The Black Caps’ tour began with a 2-match T20 series in Florida, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usa-c759, which the Windies won 2-0 (with veteran batsman Chris Gayle having re-joined the side). They continued to boss the tourists during the ODI series in the Caribbean, claiming a 4-1 victory,
and following that up with a 2-0 win in the extended-overs leg of the tour.
Barring their wins against minnows http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045, the victories spelled the Windies’ first ODI series win against Test-level opposition since 2009, and their first Test series win since 2008-09. The performances, in addition to indicating progress,
have also bolstered the confidence of the side, which will serve them in good stead for the upcoming http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 this September.
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