West Indies seek to square ODI series

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

West Indies will face the difficult task of trying to win the second one-day international against Pakistan today at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, and level the five-match series.

The Windies trail 0-1, following an eight-wicket defeat in the first ODI on Saturday at the same ground, where steady, if not complicated spin bowling tied them down to a total of 221 for six from their 50 overs before a tame attack was cruelly exposed by the Pakistani batsmen.

Overnight, West Indies will have to suddenly develop an extraordinary batting ability to cope with the guile of Pakistan's spinning trio of Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, and Mohammad Hafeez.

They will also need greater control and penetration from their bowlers on a typical, benign surface to achieve their task.

Urging greater effort

West Indies captain Darren Sammy does not believe the job is beyond his side, and has urged his players to give a greater effort the second time around.

"We dug ourselves in a hole when we were batting, and the spinners were bowling, so we really have to come better in the next game," he said.

"I was surprised to see the pitch offer so much turn and bounce, but I will back our guys to put in the hard work in the nets, and come back [on Monday] and come from behind, and try to level the series.

He added: "We need to show more intent in our approach that is one of the ways we can change the momentum.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi spoke highly of his bowlers and commended them for restricting the West Indies' scoring.

"The bowlers did a great job, especially the spinners," he said. "The pitch had some moisture in it, and I knew our bowlers would use it well."

Given the outcome of the first match of the series and consistent overcast conditions on Sunday, the match could very well be decided on which side wins the toss.

It will also come down to the composition of the West Indies' attack, with Anthony Martin, the other specialist spinner in squad, coming under serious consideration to back-up fellow leg spinner Davendra Bishoo, who seemed the only bowler capable of penetrating the Pakistani batting.