PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad), May 12: Brian Lara said on Friday he wants the West Indies to finish their one-day international series against Zimbabwe in style to prepare for the expected tougher battles against India.
After completing a series-winning fourth victory in the fifth match on Wednesday in St Lucia, Lara told reporters the West Indies wanted to maintain their unbeaten record in the final two matches in Port-of-Spain on Saturday and Sunday.
India, ranked third in both forms of the game by the International Cricket Council, arrive in the Caribbean later on Friday for a series that includes five one-day internationals and four Tests.
West Indies' success against the inexperienced Zimbabweans - one match was rained off - will serve as useful preparation, Lara added.
In a continuation of their policy of rotating players against Zimbabwe, the hosts have made two changes to their 14-man squad.
All-rounder Ian Bradshaw, who played in the first two matches in Antigua, has been included in place of new opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, who impressed in St Lucia with an unbeaten half-century in his second match.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh has been picked for the first time in the series, with Denesh Ramdin being rested.
Zimbabwe captain Terrence Duffin said his team were learning lessons ahead of a triangular series against Bermuda and Canada in Trinidad next week. “We just have to keep working and keep trying to do the basics and, hopefully, a win will come,” Duffin said.
Teams:
West Indies (from): B. Lara (capt), C. Baugh (wicketkeeper), I. Bradshaw, D. Bravo, S. Chanderpaul, C. Collymore, F. Edwards, C Gayle, D. Mohammed, R. Morton, M. Samuels, R. Sarwan, D. Smith, J. Taylor.
Zimbabwe (from): T. Duffin (capt), J. Chibhabha, E. Chigumbura, C. Coventry, K. Dabengwa, R. Higgins, A. Ireland, B. Mahwire, K. Meth, T. Mupariwa, P. Rinke, V. Sibanda, G. Strydom, B. Taylor (wicketkeeper), P. Utseya.—Agencies































