West Indies face whitewash

Avoiding their third straight one-day series whitewash to South Africa will be West Indies’ main aim when the fifth and final One-Day International bowls off today in Trinidad.



Short on confidence after four successive whippings in the current series, West Indies will need to dig deep if they are to escape another hammering at the hands of the Proteas at the Queen’s Park Oval.



The last time South Africa visited the Caribbean in 2005, Graeme Smith’s men inflicted a 5-0 drubbing on the hosts, a feat they repeated three years later in South Africa.



With his side facing embarrassment, captain Chris Gayle says the problem is now a psychological one.



He says the players need to haul themselves out of the situation.



Despite the losing slump, which also saw them beaten in both 20/20 Internationals, Gayle says his side has the character to pull off a win.



West Indies selectors named an unchanged 14-man squad for the game but fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who missed the last game through injury, is now back to full fitness.



All eyes will also be on lanky left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and if he will be included in the final eleven following his on field spat with Gayle.



South Africa, meanwhile, who practiced yesterday at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground, are expected to include a number of players who are in line to play in the opening Test in just over a week.