...Hope: All areas must improve for 2nd ODI
WEST INDIES white-ball skipper Shai Hope has urged his side to reset quickly and sharpen up in all three departments as they prepare for tomorrow’s second One-Day International against Sri Lanka, after a 41-run defeat in the series opener in Jamaica exposed familiar frailties under pressure.
The West Indies captain admitted the hosts were left chasing the game after a mix of fielding lapses, loose bowling and another batting collapse against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack and probing spinners. Despite a bright start to the run chase, the “Men in Maroon” slipped from 125 for two to 167 for five and never recovered, as Sri Lanka tightened their grip and handed the Caribbean side a setback in their push for crucial World Cup qualification points.
“All three areas of the game we could have been a lot stronger, especially in the fielding department. Our bowlers probably could have bowled tighter lines, especially at the start of the innings. We know the Sri Lankan batters tend to prey on that width that we tend to give them, so we gotta tighten up the lines the next game,” he said.
Hope said the team had too many areas to address after the loss.