Matches (14)
T20 World Cup (5)
Vitality Blast (6)
CE Cup (3)
News

We want to win the series 2-0 - Sammy

Darren Sammy reiterated that West Indies are in Bangladesh to win the Test series 2-0 despite appearing more relaxed in Khulna than in Dhaka

Mohammad Isam
Mohammad Isam
20-Nov-2012
Tino Best rocked Bangladesh on the final afternoon, Bangladesh v West Indies, 1st Test, Mirpur, 5th day, November 17, 2012

Tino Best, who took his maiden five-for in Dhaka, will pose a strong threat to the Bangladesh batsmen in Khulna  •  AFP

Darren Sammy reiterated that West Indies are in Bangladesh to win the Test series 2-0 despite appearing more relaxed in Khulna than in Dhaka. West Indies held just one full training session on the eve of the second Test, after holding an optional session on Monday, the day after they arrived.
"We had optional practice yesterday and most of the guys are little bit relaxed and well rested. We are here to do better than what we did in the last game," Sammy said. "Last year we drew the first Test, this year we won it. We have one more Test to go and we'd do everything to win this Test match. We want to win the series 2-0."
West Indies are likely to play the same XI as in the first Test, but as Denesh Ramdin had hinted on Monday, Fidel Edwards could be drafted in from among the four reserve players. But it is unlikely Edwards would replace any of the spinners, despite Sunil Narine's indifferent form in the first Test.
Veerasammy Permaul too is likely to be given an extended run after taking three wickets in Bangladesh's second innings, and showing maturity that has impressed the West Indies dressing room. The threat to Bangladesh, however, will come through the West Indies fast bowlers - Tino Best and Ravi Rampaul - who took seven second-innings wickets between them in Mirpur.
Sammy also asked Bangladesh to remain patient and added that West Indies have been going through a similar phase of not being able to force a favourable result from tricky situations in Tests.
"You see the No. 1 ranked team gets defeated by No. 4 ranked team. It is ultimately about how you go out and play on the pitch. A team must have patience, consistency and discipline in their approach.
"On a last day pitch, chasing 250-plus is a difficult task. I think it is all in the experience for both teams. We have been in similar situations so it's good that we are developing," he said.
Despite Bangladesh's runs, West Indies did bowl out the home side twice in the first Test, a point Sammy made to remind the Bangladesh batsmen led by the aggressive Tamim Iqbal at the top of the order to be on alert. "I have always watched Tamim [Iqbal] score runs quickly. We have a lot of aggressive players in our line-up too. I expect them to come hard at us, but if we stick to our line and lengths, we believe we could get 20 wickets," Sammy said.
Tamim, whose injured elbow kept his participation in the second Test in doubt, has been declared fit to play.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's correspondent in Bangladesh