Sammy commences pre-match jibes

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Cricket365
December 10, 2013

Captain Darren Sammy has insisted the West Indies hold the edge ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, which will get underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday.

The series opener ended in a rain-affected draw at the University Oval in Dunedin earlier this month, when double-centurion Darren Bravo rescued the Windies from a precarious position.

"I don't know what their minds will be like, but if I was in that situation, and having dominated for so long and not got the result that was due to us, it would have been disappointing," said Sammy.

"We left Dunedin with a bit of confidence. We didn't play our best cricket but still we salvaged a draw. We are keen to put pressure on them. But as professionals you have to pick yourself up again. Their bowlers will probably enjoy these conditions.

"I guess they'll come back even harder. The difference is that we have seen what they have. They put a lot of pressure on us and we were good enough to respond."

Meanwhile, the participation of spinners Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels remained in the balance 24 hours prior to the start. Samuels and Shillingford were reported for illegal bowling actions during the recent tour of India.

The report – submitted by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Nigel Llong, television official Vineet Kulkarni and match referee Andy Pycroft – cited concerns over Samuels' "quicker deliveries" and Shillingford's "doosras".

The actions of the pair have since been analysed independently and, if deemed to be illegal, the pair will be suspended from bowling in international cricket.

"We have not heard anything from the International Cricket Council. We have left it up to them. They are the ones that have to digest the reports and give us the results," added coach Ottis Gibson.

"If nothing is said before the Test starts on Wednesday, I don't believe we will know until after the game. I don't think it would be fair for them or us to issue the results in the middle of the game. We would prefer it to take place before the game starts on Wednesday or after."