West Indies team looking to bring their A game

The West Indies will not be leaving any stones unturned as they seek to win a series in England for the first time in over 30 years.

In what Assistant coach Roddy Estwick says is a big test match not only for the people in England but for the people in the Caribbean, the two sides will meet in the third and deciding match tomorrow.

The key for the West Indies will be to get early wickets which they did when they won in Southampton.

“We got off to a decent start in the first innings as well with the bat. So if we can blend those two key areas and also stop England from getting early wickets ourselves, that can give us a position to control the game and put them under some pressure.”

“We have got to go out there and bring our A game, all 11 players that walk out on that park. Plus the support staff have got to be up for it, we have to push them,” Said Estwick.

The final 11 may present a challenge to the selectors of the West Indies as they seek to secure the Wisden Trophy.

Though Shannon Gabriel is seen as an important player on the team he is coming off an injury and was not originally named to the Test squad.

However Estwick said that Gabriel  he was able to put some training in before the lock down and he (Estwick) was able to gauge from the  2K run and the time he did as soon as they arrived in England.

It looks as though barring injury, Gabriel – who Estwick said is a very hard-working individual – will be in the final 11.

“The key for him is to rest and recover. It is a short turnaround in the Test matches… We have to make sure that he gets the right rest, gets his treatment in and make sure he is on the park come Friday.”

Roston Chase took five wickets which may have made a case for the spinners, with Rahkeem Cornwall waiting in the wings for his chance to get out in the middle and spin his web as well.

But the West Indies have gone for a pace attack in the last two matches and even all-rounder Raymond Reifer has had to join Cornwall on the side.

There may be an opening as Alzarri Joseph pulled up during the last match. However, Joseph returned and bowled in the second innings and Estwick said there hasn’t been any change to the squad, so the injury concerns are not major though they will play it day by day.

“We will trust them, we will sit down with them and have discussion,” said Estwick, as they seek to determine how well the bowlers are holding up and what changes need to be made before the match on Friday.

One thing is certain – that even the reserve players are ready to step up if called upon as Estwick said they have been keeping all 25 players of the touring party as ready as they can be should they be needed.