KINGSTON – All-rounder Andre Russell said Thursday that West Indies were eyeing a whitewash after brushing aside New Zealand by nine wickets in the opening One-Day International of the five-match series at Sabina Park.
Russell said starting the series on a winning note could now set the tone for a total domination of the remaining four matches.
“I think it’s very good for West Indies cricket now because it’s a while we haven’t won a series and we came very close to winning a series against Australia where they were the top team,” said the 24-year-old Jamaican.
“This is the time now when we can make use of the resource we have. We have a very good team, we’re playing at home and we have all the home advantage. I’m looking at a whitewash at the moment.”
He continued: “If we had lost this game we couldn’t be thinking about a whitewash so we just have to take it game by game and step by step.
“We’re not going to get complacent and say it’s a weak team because they have guys in the team who can get the job done and they have a good team, so we’re not going to take any game lightly.”
While the crowd turned out to witness something special from hometown boy Chris Gayle, Russell stole a share of the spotlight with an incisive bowling performance.
He earned the Man-Of-The-Match award by snatching four for 45.
After missing the Twenty20s last weekend, Russell said it was important to make an immediate impact on his return to the team.
“I’m happy with the way I bowled. It was good to come back into the team after I missed the T20 series in Florida and make an impression right away,” Russell said.
“It is exciting playing at Sabina Park.” (CMC)
