West Indies looking for 3-0 sweep

THE West Indies openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis have been at the forefront of their consistent performance, which has led them to wrapping up the One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka with one match to go today.

Lewis has shown another side to his game as the regional side clinched a five-wicket victory in the second match to go 2-0 up.

Speaking to the media during a virtual media conference yesterday, Lewis said that he has been working on this side of the game for sometime.

“It is something I have been working on in 50-over cricket.

I want to try and pace my innings, cause I know I can always make up in the middle overs and at the end.”

His new approach has been made easier with the return of Hope, who continued his consistent and impressive showing with the bat as the two have rotated the strike and each have scored a century as well as above 50 runs in each game.

“Batting with Shai is pretty easy,” said Lewis, who went on to add that they feed off of each other in the middle.

“I feel at ease when I bat with him.”

Records have been tumbling since these two came together, but Lewis said this is not the focus. “We try to get the team a good start and try to bat deep and get the team the win, which is most important for the team.”

Playing in Antigua where the regional Super50 was played has also benefited the West Indies as Lewis said that many of the players had the opportunity to bat and bowl at both grounds.

“I think it played a crucial part for our preparation for this series.”

Lewis was making his return to the game as he turned down an opportunity to tour, but before that he had failed a fitness test.

Determined to make it back into the squad and come back stronger than he had left, Lewis said he has been doing a lot of gym work and running as failing the fitness test when he was doing so well hurt.

“I went back home and I did a lot of running and a lot gym and some hitting. Straight down to just after the Ireland series, I have been training hard and a bit hungrier for it.”

Lewis also highlighted that the West Indies will be looking to close out the series with another win.

“It is important when teams get the opportunity to go 3-0 and we don’t want to give them a sniff of getting a win.”

The bowling unit has been consistent throughout the series as well, with Jason Mohammed also coming to the fore with his slow bowling on a pitch which was not taking much turn.

In this regard, they plan to fight hard and fight to the end when the game begins at 9:30 a.m. (CG)