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
-
T20 World Cup‘We’ll take this confidence forward in the tournament’ – Babar Azam
Pakistan were made to sweat for a bit but came through with flying colours.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup result: Pakistan labour to second victory vanquishing Black Caps
Pakistan completed a five-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
-
The AshesJos Buttler labels Ben Stokes’ return ‘a massive boost’ for England
The England all-rounder has been added to the Ashes squad after a break from the game.
-
T20 World CupMatthew Cross: Scotland have put their heavy defeat to Afghanistan behind them
The Scots face Namibia on Wednesday, two days after they were beaten in their first T20 World Cup group game.
-
T20 World CupQuinton de Kock’s withdrawal over CSA knee mandate overshadows Proteas victory
Cricket South Africa had issued a directive that all players should take the knee and the wicketkeeper pulled out ahead of the eight-wicket win.
-
T20 World Cup‘We stand against any form of discrimination,’ says England star Jos Buttler
Quinton de Kock missed South Africa’s game with the West Indies after he refused to take a knee.
-
T20 World CupKieron Pollard is not pointing fingers after West Indies go down again
Lendl Simmons’ 35-ball 16 has drawn fire from critics who feel he needed to let loose.
-
T20 World CupTemba Bavuma lauds Aiden Markram’s allround contribution
Temba Bavuma also addressed Quinton de Kock’s withdrawal from the team just before the start of the match.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup result: South Africa canter past the West Indies
South Africa took control with the ball before completing an assured chase.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Scoreboard
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first.