Narine: Nothing wrong with Bangladesh batsmen
Published: Guardian
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Sunil Narine struck thrice in two overs in the second ODI. Photo: WICB
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine does not think there is anything wrong with the Bangladesh batsmen and has said West Indies are only taking advantage of home conditions. Narine said he has tried to keep his spells as simple as possible, but tell that to the Bangladesh batsmen. Despite dominating him in Tests less than two years ago, they now find his deception unfathomable and are facing the danger of spending all of this tour trying to avoid getting tangled by him.
His three-wicket burst in the middle of Bangladesh’s 248-run chase in the second ODI sucked the life out of their batsmen. Narine removed Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in successive deliveries before picking up Sohag Gazi in his next over as the visitors were bowled out for just 70. “I don’t think I have done anything differently [than in the past],†Narine said. “Whatever I have been doing in the past two to three years that have given me success, I have tried to keep it simple as possible. You sometimes tend to try to do too many things and forget what was working for you.â€
In the 2012 Test series, Narine went wicketless in three out of four innings, and conceded 343 runs in two matches at an economy-rate of 4.36. Shakib Al Hasan apparently had come up with the plan to go after him from the start. That plan is possibly back in Dhaka right now, as Bangladesh have played Narine without much purpose. He, however, felt that West Indies were taking advantage of familiar conditions. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the Bangladesh batsmen. They are very capable. I think it is just our time to be on top of the game. We have had some rough times in Bangladesh where they have home advantage. “Now we have the home advantage. We are continuing what we are doing and trying to build momentum ahead of the Test matches. I wouldn’t think they are rusty. The wickets are not as flat as Bangladeshi wickets, it is more giving. Their bowlers have something to work with. You need to set a foundation and work on it.†(Cricinfo)
Had honest discussion after first ODI—Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies ODI captain, has said the team had an “honest†discussion after the first one-dayer, and was pleased it had translated into a dominating performance in the second match. West Indies had collapsed to 34 for five chasing 218 in the first game, with Denesh Ramdin and Kieron Pollard bailing them out with an attacking 145-run sixth-wicket partnership.
“After the last game, there was some harsh words said in the dressing room amongst ourselves, there were honest discussions, and it is good to see that we had a better all-round performance,†Bravo said. “It shows that the team is growing in confidence and I am very happy how the batters bounced back. (Chris) Gayle is among the runs, Darren (Bravo) as well, Ramdin and Pollard, all chipped in.
“We want to get the balance right and let the players express themselves. In the past we were bit hesitant to be free, but Stuart Williams and the management team give the team the freedom to go out there and express themselves.â€
While Bravo praised his bowlers who destroyed Bangladesh for 70 in 24.4 overs, he asked for improvement from the batsmen. “We lost our way in the middle, we could have got 280 to 290 but that’s what myself and the coach have to address.â€