|
|
|
| March 25, 2006 | Saturday | Safar 24, 1427 |
West Indies hope for consolation
NAPIER (New Zealand), March 24: West Indies are hoping for a massive reversal of fortunes in the third and final Test against New Zealand here on Saturday while the hosts are looking to pull off a clean sweep in preparation for their expected tough tour of South Africa.
New Zealand are looking to maintain morale before next month’s tour while the Windies will be seeking to snap a record losing streak and to avoid a 0-3 drubbing in the Tests to go with the 1-4 hiding they took in the earlier one-day series.
Despite their 10-wicket loss in the second Test in Wellington being the West Indies’ eighth successive defeat, coach Bennett King claimed spirits were still intact and a win was not as elusive as history would suggest.
While openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga have started each innings confidently, an apparent lack of concentration tends to creep in leading to wickets falling at regular intervals.
The fact that world record holder Brian Lara is hopelessly out of form hasn’t helped and with Shivnarine Chanderpaul also struggling for runs the West Indies have suffered from a lack of steel in the middle order.
While New Zealand’s batting has not been consistent either, they have benefitted from injuries in the West Indies bowling camp although King has assured Fidel Edwards, their strike weapon and most impressive player on tour, would be fit for the third Test.
Edwards, who was sitting on a hat-trick at the end of New Zealand’s first innings of the last Test did not bowl in the second innings as a precaution against inflaming a leg injury.
“He’s got a little niggle in one of his legs. It’s a jarring issue, but he’s in no doubt for the third Test, King said.
Jerome Taylor may also start after missing the second Test due to a hamstring injury.
Although New Zealand have the series wrapped up already at 2-0 they cannot afford to ease up as the selectors prepare to name the squad for next month’s tour of South Africa.
Questions are already being asked whether the West Indians have provided adequate opposition to prepare New Zealand for the tough three-match series in South Africa, while the Proteas are warming up against world No 1 Australia.
But coach John Bracewell said he was satisfied with their leadup programme.—AFP
|
|
|
|
