SERIES ON THE LINE

Sammy: WI must control the Powerplay

“Execute or be executed” is the challenge facing West Indies’ bowlers as they seek to keep their five-match T20 International series against India alive in Hyderabad, today. Heading into the penultimate match of the five-game series down 2-1, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said his team must win the Powerplay battle with both bat and ball if they are to overcome their hosts.India can seal the series with victory, while the Windies will be hoping to force a series decider. The visitors have so far matched India with the bat, with 200-plus scores the norm on the Indian surfaces, and Hyderabad seems unlikely to prove any different.

Sammy acknowledged that the conditions have been difficult for both bowling attacks, with high-scoring matches becoming the norm, but believes the Windies can remain competitive if they execute their plans. The Windies coach stressed that the objective was not necessarily to prevent India from reaching 200, but to stop them from turning a competitive total into an overwhelming one. “If you could keep them at the par score and not let them get to 250, that’s my mindset, that’s my word to the bowlers,” he said.

Sammy also highlighted advice from bowling coach Ravi Rampaul, who noted that forcing batters to hit fours instead of sixes could save two runs each time which could make a difference in the end. “When you look at the team that we have, we have so many match-winners. It is good that Shai is in a good vein of form and I want him to abuse that form as long as possible,” stated Sammy.