Sammy praises WI’s fight against India despite pay cut: We sent a strong message

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes his team made a statement with their performances against India, despite financial woes at Cricket West Indies (CWI). The visitors battled back to level the five-match T20I series at 2-2which decided the series against the reigning world champions on Saturday.

The CWI recently announced pay cuts and shorter contracts for players as it continues to struggle financially. However, Sammy believes the team’s performance in India underlined their ability to compete at the highest level despite their struggles at home.

“For us, what success means may be different for the audience. With us as a group, I think it’s the first time we’ve won more than two matches in 20 years (in India). I think we sent a strong message with the way we played,” Sammy said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.

West Indies have matched India for much of the series and now have a chance to secure a memorable series win in the T20I final on Saturday. Sammy said the team’s ability to challenge the world champions was significant, given the circumstances surrounding cricket in the West Indies.

“Despite all the challenges we face, if we could come here and play the best team in the world, the defending (ICC T20) champions (India), we’ll tick the boxes to keep us in the conversation,” he said.

“Before the series started, we all knew about the big (pay) cuts and everything that happened. We’re still going strong and we continue to be a team that brings fun to the world when we’re doing well. It’s not because of us, it’s despite all the challenges we face.”

Sammy said the players need to maintain their performance if they want to regularly challenge the top teams. He felt that the series against India gave the team confidence and showed what they could achieve when they played to their potential.

“My role and by extension in management with the players is to go out and do my best. Sometimes it’s difficult, it’s inconsistent, but what I’ve seen in this series gives the guys a lot of confidence. I said it’s a way to gauge where we are.”

“If we’re consistent, the players we have in the dressing room go out there and give it their all. When they do that, we can compete and win games against anyone in the world,” he said.

CHASE BACK TO SAMMY TO DELIVER AGAIN

Sammy reserved special praise for all-rounder Roston Chase, whose bowling was a key factor in keeping India in check during the middle innings. Chase regularly slowed down the scoring and picked up wickets as India looked to build momentum.

Chase took six wickets in the series, leveling Keem Paul at the top of the wicket-taking charts.

“I think he’s the world’s number three all-rounder now. He’s got a very defensive mindset. He relies on pressure, he tries to score the opposition. Sometimes he might not get the results, but the results can come at the other end. I thought he was the best bowler in the series so far,” Sammy said.

The West Indies coach said Chase’s ability to keep the batting calm helped the team get back into the games after the powerplay.

“The way he continues to keep us in the game by applying pressure makes it a little bit easier. I think that’s one of the reasons we were able to pull the game away after the power play,” he said.

Chase will have another important role in the decider at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Acknowledging that bowling at the venue will be a challenge, Sammy challenged his attack to put up another strong performance.

“Hopefully he will continue tomorrow… he will come and have a good game. Chinnaswamy is also a tough place to bowl. It is a place where the bowlers have to be on point. Hopefully our bowlers can go there and give one more big game and that could help us win the series,” he added.

SAMMY EYES RANGE WINS IN T20I FINAL

For Sammy, a series win would be the perfect way to end the competitive tour of India. West Indies have already shown they can trouble the hosts, but the coach knows they will need another disciplined performance to finish the job.

Sammy also talked about the excitement the team brings to cricket when they play well and said their performances make the series fun for the fans.

“The fact that we’re making cricket really competitive is good for viewership. When the West Indies are doing well, it lightens the mood for every single person.

“It was box-office television. Hopefully, tomorrow will give us an opportunity to bring down the curtains on a great tour of India,” he said.

– The end