BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 20: West Indies go into the first Test against New Zealand Friday with coach Roger Harper convinced the side is at last beginning to reverse years of decline.
“The team has grown quite a bit. Obviously we still have quite a way to go, but it is pleasing to see the way it is coming together,” Harper said.
The 3-1 series win over New Zealand in the one-dayers, coming on the back of a 2-1 Test home series victory against India, has helped restore some badly-needed West Indian optimism after a string of heavy defeats in recent seasons.
A reliance on greater teamwork rather than individual performances by the likes of skipper Carl Hooper and leading batsman Brian Lara, according to Harper, had begun to make the difference.
“It will take some time before we can really compete day-in, day-out with a team of the calibre of Australia,” he added.
“But we think if we keep progressing...in a year or a year and a half we will just about be there.”
New Zealand, meanwhile — third in the world rankings compared to their hosts’ sixth place — go into the first game of the two-Test series at the Kensington Oval armed with as much determination as frustration after losing the one-dayers. In Sunday’s final game they set 291 only for West Indies to overhaul the target at St Vincent.
“If we look back on the one-day series we should at least have been able to share it. We have to put it behind us, but it also adds a bit of determination going into the Test matches,” said coach Denis Abehart.
Problems with an unreliable scoreboard in the final one-dayer, confusing the New Zealanders as they tried to juggle their bowling attack, also left skipper Stephen Fleming fuming.
“It’ll make us more determined in the next fortnight, believe me. We’re going to play very well in this Test series and fight a lot harder,” he said.
The touring side have been bolstered by the arrival of Mark Richardson, wicketkeeper Robbie Hart and pace bowler Chris Martin for the Tests.
Fast bowler Shane Bond and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori came through the one-day series after recent injuries and both are seen as certain starters.
The traditionally lively Kensington Oval wicket has rarely given joy to visitors.
West Indies pace bowler Mervyn Dillon has reported himself fit to play after missing the final one-day game with a back injury while leg-spin bowler Mahendra Nagamootoo is also available after missing two months of international cricket after sustaining leg injuries in a car accident.
West Indies have called uncapped 24-year-old fast bowler Darren Powell back from the A team’s tour of England as cover. The second Test takes place at Grenada’s Queen’s Park Stadium, starting on June 29.
Squads:
West Indies - Carl Hooper (captain), Brian Lara (vice captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Mervyn Dillon, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Darren Powell, Adam Sanford, Ramnaresh Sarwan.
New Zealand - Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Chris Harris, Robbie Hart, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Chris Martin, Mark Richardson, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.—Reuters