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Youngsters hinting at Windies culture change – Simmons

Published:Tuesday | February 9, 2021 | 12:20 AM
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West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (second left) is congratulated by his teammates after picking up one of his three wickets on day-one of the first Test against hosts Bangladesh in Chattogram on Wednesday.
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West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (second left) is congratulated by his teammates after picking up one of his three wickets on day-one of the first Test against hosts Bangladesh in Chattogram on Wednesday.
SIMMONS
SIMMONS
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CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (CMC):

Head coach Phil Simmons has pointed to a culture change taking place in the West Indies Test set-up, which is being driven by the arrival of new players with improved attitudes and the character necessary to excel in the international arena.

Speaking moments after West Indies completed the fifth highest run chase in history to stun Bangladesh by three wickets in the opening Test, Simmons praised the side’s inexperienced players for the commitment shown in recent Tests.

Kyle Mayers struck an unbeaten 210, and fellow debutant Nkrumah Bonner stroked 86, his maiden Test half-century, as the pair put on 216 for the fourth wicket to spearhead the successful chase of 395 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

“The guys went about it in a way that even I, during the day, couldn’t believe these were guys making their debut,” Simmons said.

“And I must say, there are a lot of changes happening. We had two guys (Chemar Holder and Joshua Da Silva) who made their debuts in the last Test we played [against New Zealand] and showed the attitudes we want in this team, and then we have three guys here now making their debut and showing the attitude we want.

“So the attitude and the culture itself is changing, which is what I want to see and I am happy to see it.

“[Character] is huge and the character is forming here.”

Selectors were forced to include four uncapped players in the 15-man squad after six first-choice players, which represented the core of the batting group, opted out of the tour for various reasons.

DEBUTANTS

Debuts were subsequently handed to Mayers and Bonner, along with left-hander Shayne Moseley, in the opening Test, which bowled off last Wednesday.

Given little hope of winning especially after being set an imposing total in the final session of the fourth day, Simmons said the maturity shown by the group to win the match was extraordinary.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Simmons said.

“To watch this team come from where we’ve come from, from all the negative talk we’ve had since we left the Caribbean and have a performance like this, it’s unbelievable. I don’t have words for it right now.”