New?West?Indies?captain Denesh Ramdin has hinted that two spinners may play against New Zealand in next month’s opening Test at Sabina Park.
Speaking yesterday afternoon at the Franklyn Stephenson Academy in St Thomas after the team completed an intense training session in preparation for tomorrow’s three-day practice match against a local Combined XI, Ramdin said Sabina Park was no longer a fast-bowling pitch.
“Having played there over the last few seasons, the pitch has changed and a lot of wickets have fallen to spin. The last time we played New Zealand there, Narsingh Deonarine took four wickets in the second innings.
“The ball spins a lot on the second and third day at Sabina Park and it is important that the new ball bowlers set the tone by taking early wickets.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if two spinners play, but you never know. When we get there and the pitch looks different and it is hard and has that shine on it, we may go with three fast bowlers but at the same time it is a five-day Test match and by the third and fourth day, we may need one or two spinners to come and bowl and get wickets and win a match for you,” he said.
When the West Indies last played the Kiwis in Jamaica in August 2012, the West Indies won by five wickets in four days. Their spinners snared ten scalps in the match with Deonarine taking six and Sunil Narine four.
Ramdin, who averaged 45 in Test cricket last year, told SUNSPORT that every now and then, he might bat at the critical No. 6 slot.
“It is important that we find the right player for that position. He has to come in and get runs, I did it for a couple of Test matches and was successful so I may go to six or stay at seven, it depends on the situation of the game.
“If the opportunity is there, I may bat at six or it maybe the all-rounder. I have been in fairly decent form over the past year and I am excited about this new series, and I want to lead from in front and express myself, so that everyone can rally around the captain.”
Ramdin said he was happy with the unity in team.
“For the last seven years that I have been playing, the unity has always been there. I have given respect to all of the guys and now that I am in a position where I need the respect, I have got it from all of the boys.
“They are comfortable in the environment that we are creating at the moment and I just want everyone to enjoy the cricket which is most important so that when they go out there they have a free mind and don’t have to worry about anything,” he said.
Ramdin, 28, is looking forward to his first series at the helm of the West Indies team.
“All of the games are going to be special, putting on that blazer and representing the entire Caribbean. It is important we win the opening Test in Jamaica and set the momentum for the rest of the series. Our [batsmen] need to come to the party in both innings to win a Test match and give our bowlers something to bowl at.
“Jerome Taylor is back, he is one of the finest bowlers in the Caribbean. Kemar Roach is back as well, so we have some good fast bowlers, then there is Shannon Gabriel. In the spin department, we have Shane Shillingford, Sulieman Benn and Sunil Narine.
“All of those guys are fighting for a spot on the team and it is going to challenge the selection panel and that augurs well for West Indies cricket,” he said.
