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WEST INDIES One-Day International (ODI) captain Nicholas Pooran believes the Caribbean team is still searching for the right formula to improve their dismal 50-over record against reputed cricketing nations.
The maroon play for pride in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh in Providence, Guyana on Saturday after losing their two opening matches owing to batting collapses.
Despite this being Pooran’s third ODI series as the region’s official white-ball captain, he thinks the squad is yet to find the right frame of mind to churn out positive results.
Although he started his ODI captaincy career with a comforting 3-0 series sweep of Netherlands, Pooran said the team is still on the hunt for a consistent winning approach.
During Friday’s virtual pre-match press conference, the wicketkeeper/batsman knocked his team, and himself, for being unable to deliver improved results against higher ranked nations.
Batting, he said, continues to be their major downfall. At the two previous ODIs, WI lost the toss on both occasions and were sent in to bat first.
There, they were dismissed for paltry scores of 149 (41 overs) and 108 (35 overs) respectively, with the Bangladeshis sealing convincing wins.
“We discussed about batting 50 overs and the challenges of batting on a whole, regardless if you’re batting first or second, just finding that way," Pooran said. "In the ODI set-up, we’re still a new team and a group of young guys still trying to figure out how we want to play this cricket.
“We need to assess conditions much better and decide what shots we’re going to play on that wicket. We haven’t gotten the answer yet so we’re looking forward to (Saturday's) game.
“We’re trying to assess as fast as possible how we want to go about batting on that wicket. We are playing for a pride but as a group we’re looking to get better in this format,” he said.
Pooran stated there may be some changes to the final XI.
“We had discussions yesterday, one-on-one with the coach (Phil Simmons), and everyone has their individual plans. It’s just to bat as deep as possible, try our best and find a way to bat on that wicket,” he added.
Pooran applauded the team's spin bowlers Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, who made a positive difference with the ball in two past ODIs.
However, he said, the team’s poor batting have placed bowlers under additional pressure.
“The bowlers have been doing a fantastic job and the spinners are doing well. But we’re still in search of getting early wickets and in the middle overs. If we can tick that box it will be very helpful for us going into the next series (against India).”
“Understanding the lengths we need to bowl on these wickets, just assessing really fast. I think Alzarri (Joseph) bowled really well with the new ball in the last game. It’s difficult defending 140 and 108.
“I can’t fault the guys for trying and giving their best effort but it’s a challenge for us. We have to learn as quickly as possible. I think this is a learning curve for everyone.
“It’s definitely a challenge here in Providence for us especially losing the toss in the two games. We didn’t get the answer as yet and we’re still looking for it,” he said.
The skipper also criticised his own shabby run of form with the bat, which saw him dismissed for 18 in the first and duck in the second.
When asked if the captaincy is taking a mental toll on his batting performance, he acknowledged that he had to do some self-searching.
“Even before the captaincy I was struggling in the ODI format because I haven’t been scoring runs. I sit down, reflect, and have conversations with the coaches as well. I question my mind set on how I am getting out in this format.
“One point in time I was doing really well in this format but now I’m not. I did question my mindset. Playing that reverse sweep (in second ODI) is always a big question mark. I was disappointed in myself for playing that shot. Sometimes those things happen.”
He closed, “When it comes to the captaincy and batting I wouldn’t question it as much because I just average 100 in the last T20 series. I think I’m batting really well but it’s a good question to challenge my mindset in the ODI format.
“That’s something I raise my hand and acknowledgement I need to sit and reflect on how I have been batting and where my mindset at in cricket is.
“I think we need to find a template how we want to go about batting 50 overs in the Caribbean. We need to play more 50 over cricket for sure, both international and domestically. One tournament is not enough.”
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