West Indies eyeing change of fortunes at home from the Bangladesh Test series
Ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Antigua, the West Indies head coach highlights the importance of winning the home series before their tour of Pakistan scheduled early next year.
Having fallen out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship Final next year, teetering at the bottom of the points table, West Indies are determined to finish the year on a high note.
Speaking ahead of the first of two Tests at home against Bangladesh starting Friday, head coach Andre Coley emphasized for the hosts to rub off the disappointment of losing their previous series at home - against South Africa in August.
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“It’s very important. Coming off of the disappointment of the South Africa series, where we really put ourselves in a position to close out that series, we didn’t, and we now have this opportunity against Bangladesh,” Coley said.
Playing two Tests at home against the Proteas, the Windies were bested 1-0 after the visitors claimed the final Test by 40 runs.
They arrive into the Bangladesh series on the back of a 3-1 loss to England in a five-match T20I series at home.
Coley believes it’s crucial for the hosts to come out on top against Bangladesh and raise the team morale before the tour of Pakistan next year, which will see them contest in their final two Tests of the ongoing WTC cycle.
"It's very important for us to come out with a winning result on home soil before we head off to (Pakistan)...these are the final four Test matches in this edition of the World Test Championship. It is very important for us to do well here, win the series, and get momentum heading into Pakistan,” he said.
Led by Kraigg Braithwaite, the 15-member West Indies squad - missing star all-rounder Jason Holder - features a mix of experienced campaigners and up and coming talent. Coley believes the Bangladesh series presents a perfect opportunity for this group to display their capability in the longest format.
"We have players here who have played against Bangladesh - home and away- and were successful, and won those series. You know players are familiar with each other and we also have some new players who have not played any of those series," he said.
"It's an opportunity for senior players and emerging players you know to show what we are capable of as a team and we continue to build and put everything together on the back of last year and year and half and as you said look to close on the year in really good form."