Greenidge: We can do well
Convenor of West Indies selectors, Gordon Greenidge, believes that if the West Indies play with confidence and keep focussed on the job, they should do very well against Australia in the upcoming Digicel Home Series 2008.
The former West Indies opening batsman offered words of advice to the team, which is preparing for the 1st Digicel Test match at Sabina Park, which bowls off on Thursday, May 22.
"The players must believe that they can step up and show what they are really capable of. We have to decide to be more forceful, more positive and spend time at the crease. What we want is consistency. This is something we have been fighting for over the years. This series presents an opportunity for players to be counted - new players and established players," noted Greenidge.
"We have to be positive in our approach. Being positive, in this case, does not mean going overboard and trying to hit every ball to the boundary. Common sense has to prevail. You have to first see what is happening and then be positive in your approach."
Greenidge added: "We have to look at the overall game and have a positive game plan. We need application and concentration on the job and we will do very well."
Greenidge said he was generally satisfied with the team's showing in the Digicel Home Series against Sri Lanka in March and April. The West Indies drew the Digicel Test series 1-1, and won the Digicel One-Day Series 2-0, with the final match being abandoned due to rain.
"The players equipped themselves very well and handled what happened in the Sri Lanka series very well," he said.
Team for 1st Digicel Test: Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Amit Jaggernauth, Runako Morton, Darren Sammy, Devon Smith, Brenton Parchment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Jerome Taylor.