Signs of Stability says Sammy     


       KHULNA, Bangladesh – Darren Sammy said WestIndies’ victory in their two-Test series against Bangladesh was testimony to the growing consistency of the side.

Keiron Powell scores back to back hundreds in the 1st test

The West Indies captain was reflecting on the series, following his side’s 10-wicket victory in the second and final Test on Sunday at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium here.

The result meant that West Indies had won four straight Test for the first time since 1993, and four Test in a year for the first time since 2002.

“It’s a good feeling when you are winning, and it’s even better when you plan and you go out and execute and see your teammates perform consistently,” said Sammy.

“It was good being a part of this Test series and to see the little steps we are taking in bettering ourselves and moving up the ladder in Tests.”

Marlon Sammuels obtained his highest score,260

Sammy said part of the reason for the recent string of successes has been the settled team that has played throughout the year.

“The guys in this team played against New Zealand and were in England, with Chris Gayle returning to the team, so it’s a more settled squad, just like our Twenty20 team is quite settled, so is our One-day International team,” he said.

“The more we play together on the cricket field, the more we know about each other. The most encouraging thing for me is that when we turn up, we know what to expect from the different players.”

He said: “You know what Tino Best will give you, or when Marlon Samuels goes out to bat and he starts his innings, you know what you will get from him, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and all of the other players.

Tino Best produced some match winning spells.Permaul was impressive on debut.

“We also have guys who continue to play domestic cricket at home who perform and will challenge for places in the team. The nucleus of the team is quite settled, but the guys have been performing consistently in the last 6 to 12 months, so it is a good sign for us.”

Sammy said he felt West Indies had gone through a process of developing a culture geared towards winning Tests, which they have been working hard to achieve over the last few years.

“We will continue to instill that work ethic in the dressing room, and continue to go out there and do what all the West Indies fans want us to do – play a brand of cricket that the World loves to see and be consistent and try to win more matches,” he said.

“We performed more consistently over the last 10 days of Test cricket and this was key to our winning. We didn’t take Bangladesh for granted. In key moments, like the second innings, we did more things better than them.”

Shiv Chanderpaul was award man of the series

Sammy dismissed suggestions that his side’s job was made a little easier by a lack of application from the Bangladesh batsmen.

“We had to work for most of our wickets and the pitches were really good for batting,” he said.

“We stuck to our plans for most of the time. In the first innings in Dhaka, our bowlers didn’t hit the areas. From the second innings and both innings in this Test, we bowled much better.”

He added: “The Bangladesh, like us, are naturally aggressive. . .but our batsmen were more patient and let the bowlers come to them, not try to go searching for runs. Once you applied yourself on these pitches, you were bound to get runs.

“We have a lot of respect for the Bangladesh players, but we always believed that we could come here, and achieve our goal of winning the two Tests, so we are just happy to have accomplished this.”

(WICB Media Release)

Is Powell the West Indies opening Solution ?

With the return of Chris Gayle to the West Indies side,the likes of Adrian Barath,kraig Brathwaite and  Keiron Powell have found themselves battling it out for the remaining opening position.Powell having been selected however to accompany Gayle in Bangladesh as he has done against New Zealand in the previous tour has somewhat provided a solid impact showing why he was selected.On the first day of the first test,Powell struck his 2nd century,providing the West Indies with a solid platform for a huge first innings total.Other significant contributers included the all so reliable,veteran batsman;Shivnarine Chanderpaul who brought up his 26 test hundred and Denesh Ramdin who is  unbeaten like Chanderpaul after raising his half century.

Powell gave praise to Chanderpaul saying he found it comfortable batting with him.

"I think batting with any senior player is easy. Shiv has lots of experience, something like 145 Test matches," Powell said after the day's play. "He takes all the pressure off you and lets you play the normal game. He keeps talking to you."

The age difference between the pair is around 16 years, a non-issue for Chanderpaul, who has been known to take young batsmen under his wing. "He's just telling me to be patient, stay positive, look to rotate the strike and put away the bad balls, and play straight," Powell said.

The competition is a nice one for the West Indians to find themselves in,positive competition where solid performances are needed to maintain their spots.Powell's century will surely add to his stats and his case,to cement his spot as Gayle's opening partner.

West Indes vs Bangladesh 

1st test,Day 1

                  West Indies Dominate as Powell and Chanderpaul hit centuries.

century makers Keiron Powell and Shiv Chanderpaul (source-cricinfo)

On a day which started positively for Bangladesh,claiming 3 wickets early before the lunch session including that of Chris Gayle,ended quite bad for the Bangladeshis as the West Indies build on centuries from the young opener Keiron Powell,and veteran Shiv Chanderpaul.West Indies ended the day on a imposing 361-4scoring at 4.01 runs per over.The West Indies quickly and comfortably progressed with 210 runs out of the final total coming in boundaries.

At the start Chris Gayle fired a couple into the stands before falling to debutant Sohag Gazi for 24.Bravo and Sammuels also fell without providing much to talk about,as each fell for 14 and 16 respectively.That was the only success Bangladesh would feel for a long time,as Powell and Chanderpaul shared a 4th wicket partnership of 125 before Powell feel to Gazi for 117,completing his 2nd test hundred.Ramdin joined Chanderpaul and continued the good work,and at stumps the two were not seperated.The partnership is currently 130 runs and it is the first century partnership between Shiv and Ramdin.

West Indies coming into the series with tremendous momentum on their side after winning the world cup T20 surely continued the good form,and are in a dominant position closing day one on 361-4.