Windies captain Jason Holder
Windies skipper Jason Holder has hailed the professionalism brought to the team by resigning head coach Stuart Law.
Law is expected to part ways with the regional team come January when he takes up a post with English County Championship team Middlesex. Law will have served less than two years in the job, the latest in a flurry of short-term appointments for the regional squad, a situation that Holder admits has been tough to deal with.
“It’s difficult. We have got a number of coaches in the last five years. And I must say that the boys have been professional to adjust with each and every coach. I have seen that players have found it hard to deal with situations like these. Credit must go to them, whoever comes in and coaches us, we are focused and judge ourselves on how we play,”
And that’s why I don’t get too worried about what people say outside,” Holder told the New Indian Express.
“I think Stuart has brought a different dynamic in terms of professionalism to the side. There were certain methods we needed to change and credit should go to Stuart Law for that. Hopefully, whoever comes in, we could just settle along for something longer and build something positive for the next couple of years.”
Pollard not concerned about Windies ranking – that’s in the past
West Indies white-ball cricket captain, Kieron Pollard is not paying attention to the difference in ranking between his side and India who are currently locked at a win apiece in their three-match T20i series.
Time to have fun – Pooran happy his hard work is paying off
West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran, by all accounts, is a very talented player, who could do great things on the international scene, and his 38 not out to help his side to an 8-wicket win over India in the second T20 between the two in Thiruvanthapuram on Sunday is evidence of that fact.
According to Pooran though, his talent isn’t enough to help him do well for the West Indies or even keep his place, and that he has to work hard.
“I work very hard and happy it's finally paid off. I believe in my processes and glad it's coming off,” said Pooran, who came to the crease with the West Indies on 112-2 in chase of India’s 170 in the 14th over.
Six overs later it was all over, as Pooran took over from Lendl Simmons, who scored a classy 67 from 45 deliveries, slamming four boundaries and two sixes in 18 balls to take the West Indies to 173-2
That type of innings, Pooran said, was not difficult, because the hard work has already been done.
“Cricket's all about having fun. I've put in a lot of hard work, so now is time for having fun,” he said.
Pooran explained after the game that places in the middle order of the West Indies side comes at a premium with the type of talent that lies in it but that was good for the team.
“There's a bit of competition in the middle order, but we all want to do good, that's all,” he said.
Earlier Evin Lewis had scored 40 and Shimron Hetmyer, 23, in a bid to chase down India’s 170, which they were restricted to thanks to Hayden Walsh Jr’s 2-28 and Kesrick Williams’ 2-30.
Those bowling figures, along with the start from Lewis and Simmons, meant there was no pressure for Pooran.
“To be honest, we had no pressure. Tried not to panic, tried to build partnerships.”
Smith confident over state of MCG wicket for Boxing Day Test
Steve Smith is backing Melbourne Cricket Ground curator Matt Page to deliver an acceptable wicket for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and New Zealand.
The final match at the MCG before that contest - the Sheffield Shield clash between Victoria and Western Australia - had to be cancelled on Saturday due to an unsafe pitch.
Umpires called off day one after Western Australia batsmen Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis were struck multiple times amid unpredictable bounce.
Cricket Australia promised to ensure there is a wicket of "international standard" for December 26, though, and Smith has no doubt Page will do the necessary hard work.
"I'm sure they'll produce something good for us on Boxing Day," the Australia superstar said ahead of the first Test in Perth this week.
"It's a really fine line with that wicket. Pagey is a very good curator - he'll be working as hard as he can to try to get a wicket that is suitable for bat and ball.
"These guys have a really tough job. They've tried a lot down in Melbourne but not been able to get something that is a bit more bowler friendly.
"They're going to work hard over the next couple of weeks to get us a good wicket for Boxing Day."
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