Process focused Windies looking to close out series in historic Test
The third and final Test between The West Indies and Sri Lanka will be historic regardless of what happens on the field but skipper Jason Holder wants his charges to stay focused on the process.
Holder feels that the team is progressing well despite not putting in their best display in the drawn second Test at St Lucia.
The third Test will bring with it the challenges of the first pink ball day/night Test to be hosted in the Caribbean.
Speaking to the press ahead of the match Holder said: “I try to get the guys to focus on the process, we’ve got to know what we need to do in order to win a Test match.
“We’ve got to do small things over a long period of time, our bowlers have got to be a lot more consistent, our batsmen convert most of the starts we’ve been getting. I think the guys are really up for the occasion and everybody knows what’s at stake.
“We’re playing some really good cricket in the series. Individual performances have really stood out, and we really came together as a side. The first Test match was obviously exceptional, probably we were not at our best in our last Test match in St Lucia.”
The West Indies have struggled with bat in hand throughout the series with Shane Dowrich the only man to bring up three figures for the hosts while only Kraigg Barthwaite averages over 35.
Holder confessed: “Yeah, it’s obviously an area of concern for us.
“We’ve had a number of starts over the last couple of Test series but the batsmen haven’t been able to carry on. I just think it’s matter for us to focus on every particular delivery, not get too far ahead.
“I always stress on the process and we need to be playing ball by ball and not looking too far ahead down the line. Obviously, once you get those starts, it’s about focusing a little bit harder on those twenties and thirties and push past the landmark and hopefully take it really big.”
The Third Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka gets underway at 19:00 GMT on Saturday June 23
Latest
-
UKCounty cricketers pay tribute to coronavirus victims before new season
The new-look Bob Willis Trophy has replaced the traditional Championship campaign in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
UKBen Stokes unimpressed as Cricket World Cup final misses out on Bafta
Stokes produced a player-of-the-match performance with an unbeaten 84 as England won the Cricket World Cup last July.
-
UKSir Ian Botham to play it with straight bat after elevation from Lord’s to Lords
The 64-year-old former England all-rounder backed Brexit and has now been awarded a peerage.
-
CricketRikki Clarke insists Surrey are motivated despite lack of fans against Middlesex
Clarke wants Surrey, who were due to welcome 2,500 fans into Kia Oval this weekend, to honour Bob Willis by winning the competition named after him.
-
IrelandSam Billings aims to build on bad luck for Joe Denly, one of his ‘best mates’
Injury to his team-mate has given another Kent player a chance to impress.
-
UKCurtis Campher reflects proudly on an impressive debut for Ireland
The Johannesburg-born player stood out in the six-wicket loss to England in the ODI series opener at Southampton.
-
CricketCounties return to action with Bob Willis Trophy replacing Championship action
The campaign was meant to start in April.
-
EnglandAlastair Cook lauds England’s ‘scary’ one-day squad depth
England beat Ireland by six wickets on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-game ODI series
-
AustraliaMatthew Wade: Nobody bowls bouncers like Wagner
The 34-year-old caused the Australian batsmen plenty of problems when the sides met in a three-match Test series over December and January
-
UKBack injury ends Joe Denly’s involvement in England’s ODI series against Ireland
The Kent player sustained the issue during training on Wednesday.