Sammy urges team to retain self-belief, despite defeat – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382, has urged his team to retain their new-found self-confidence, despite their 3-wicket defeat at the hands of the visiting Aussies in the first Test of the ongoing Frank-Worrell Trophy.
“I told the guys at the end of the Test match to keep their heads up,” he said. “We did a lot of good things … We dominated http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 for three-and-a-half days and even today when we bowled, we made them fight for that 190.”
The much-hyped Test series kicked off on the 7th of April at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The West Indies, having put up a strong fight in the limited-overs series (both the ODIs and T20s ended in draws), went into the extended-overs
leg with growing confidence, while the Aussies aimed to secure a Test series win away from home, in addition to improving their http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test team rankings.
The host team got off to an impressive start, and dominated play during the first three days of the match. Having won the toss and opted to bat, their first innings culminated in an imposing 449, featuring impressive performances by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kraigg-Brathwaite-c71708(57),
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Chanderpaul-c2390, who contributed with an unbeaten 103.
Day 4 proved to be the turning point in the match, as the Aussies began to fight back. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 (48) had formed an 82-run partnership, which played a vital role in propelling their side to 248 for 5 by the end of day 3. Day
4 saw the tail-enders chipping in with remarkable contributions, as the game slipped out of the Windies’ grasp. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 felt confident enough
to declare the innings.
Darren Sammy’s men, despite their solid start, fell flat in their second innings, and ended at 71 for 5 on day 4. They made their way to 148 on the last day, giving the Aussies a 192 target to chase, which the tourists achieved after a tough fight despite
a valiant 4 for 53 by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/N-Deonarine-c2051.
In relation to the sudden collapse during the second innings, Sammy claimed that it was important to be mentally focused despite having to remain on field for a long time.
“They came in the second innings and bowled straighter at us; then we played a few loose strokes as well. It's just about conditioning your mind to bat for your team the second time around and just repeating the job you did in the first innings.”
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