Marlon Samuels - JUNIOR DOWIE
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS, CMC
ENERGISED BY THEIR important win on Tuesday, West Indies 'A' will be seeking to clinch the limited-overs rubber against England 'A' in the fourth and penultimate match of the series at the Windward Club today.
West Indies' five-wicket victory under the Duckworth Lewis method in the third match gave them a 2-1 series lead ahead of the remaining two matches and a second successive win will make Sunday's final match of academic interest only.
While looking to round off the series as a contest, West Indies coach Hendy Springer is bracing for a backlash from England.
"The intention will be to wrap it up and to play hard to finish it off," Springer said ahead of a practice session yesterday.
"We've got to play hard. I'm sure the English guys will be coming back, trying to hit us hard."
West Indies' victory in Tuesday's third match at the 3Ws Oval was set up by a stroke-filled century by Marlon Samuels that earned him his second man-of-the-match award in the series.
Other West Indian batsmen have been among the runs in the series that also included two unofficial four-day Tests, but left-handers Ryan Hinds and Narsingh Deonarine, two players with international experience, have been short of runs.
"I am not fully satisfied because I believe a lot of the guys who are not performing can do a lot better, can get better numbers whether it be batting or bowling," Springer said.
"As in every team, we've got one or two of the guys who are holding up the team as far as good scores are concerned, but I'm looking forward to the other guys performing a lot better."
West Indies have been forced to make two changes from the 13-man squad that assembled here following the historic day/night matches in St Lucia.
Niggling injuries have ruled out opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon and all-rounder Richard Kelly and their places have been taken by wicket-keeper/batsman Patrick Browne and pacer Tino Best.
Best was in the original 13 for the last match, but was withdrawn after receiving a call-up to join the senior team in New Zealand. His planned departure was later put on hold for reasons that are still not altogether clear.
West Indies practised at the Police Sports Club on Thursday afternoon with coach Springer still trying to iron out a few areas of concern.
"Our fielding needs to be a lot sharper. Our bowlers, in many instances, need to be a lot more accurate, but it is a problem that can't be solved over a couple of weeks," Springer said.
"This is a competition period, not a preparation period. A lot of things that I do wouldn't sink very far in. You're looking to compete every single time and there is not much time for real hardcore practice."
The teams (from):
WEST INDIES 'A' - Sylvester Joseph (captain), Lendl Simmons, Dale Richards, Marlon Samuels, Ryan Hinds, Narsingh Deonarine, Carlton Baugh, Darren Sammy, Omari Banks, Andrew Richardson, Gavin Tonge, Tino Best, Patrick Browne.
ENGLAND 'A' - Vikram Solanki (captain), Ed Joyce, Alex Loudon, Jamie Dalrymple, Michael Yardy, Ravi Bopara, Rikki Clarke, Steve Davies, Gareth Batty, Kabir Ali, Alex Wharf, Sajid Mahmood, Stuart Broad, Luke Wright.
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