BIRMINGHAM, England – Darren Sammy identified the consistent failure to win the key moments in another competitive series for West Indies led to their 2-0 Test series defeat against England.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy. Photo courtesy of Windiescricket.com
The West Indies captain said his side lacked consistency throughout the three-Test series which drew to a wet conclusion on Monday at Edgbaston.
To emphasise his point, he also harked back to the preceding Digicel Test series against Australia, where West Indies also suffered a 0-2 series defeat in a three-Test series.
“We were competitive against Australia and should have won, but at crucial moments, we faltered and crumbled – and that’s what happened again in England,” he said.
“We were competitive, but we didn’t compete for long enough over an extended period of time and hence we lost 2-0.
“If you subtract the sessions when we were really bad, we were up there competing.”
Sammy said his side still had plenty about which to proud, although they failed to win a match.
“Looking at the three Test matches, we scored over 320 in each Test with our top-order not contributing,” he said.
“To do that was a plus for us. I remember watching England against India, and India had a strong batting line-up and didn’t get past 300, so credit to the guys who went out there and performed well for the team.”
Sammy also highlighted the last-wicket stand between wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin and Tino Best, whose 95 – the highest score by a Test No.11 – helped West Indies post 426 in their first innings of the final Test here.
“We said we would come here with a never-say-die attitude and that last-wicket partnership was just a perfect example of the attitude we have,” said Sammy.
“It was great to watch and on that same flat pitch we got five wickets. With more play, you never know what could have happened.”
Sammy also singled out Best for special praise, following the fast bowler’s entertaining innings.
“We all know what Tino Best is like,” he said. “Whatever he does, you can guarantee it will be exciting and full of drama.
“I remember in the morning, when we were warming up, the coach said, ‘Tino, I need 25 from you and I am not talking about 25 overs – I know you can give me that’.