[[{“value”:”
West Indies, who crushed debutants Italy at the Eden Gardens on Thursday for a clean sweep of their group matches, are consciously giving up flamboyance for efficiency as they chase success at this T20 World Cup — one game at a time.
“It`s more about the role that I`ve been given and about how we want to play as a team,” skipper Shai Hope said after the 42-run victory.
“You would like to go out and strike at 250, 300 but on days the conditions may [compel us] to be a little more gritty,” he added after a 46-ball 75, pointing out that his role in the team is to hold one end up so that the others can play aggressor at the other end.
“I too can hit the big sixes but, then, it’s more about doing what’s required for the team in that particular moment. That`s how I pride myself as a cricketer. Effectiveness and efficiency are more important,” explained Hope.
The influence of head coach Daren Sammy is big in the line-up. Sammy led the Windies to title triumphs in 2012 and 2016. The Caribbeans haven’t won an ICC trophy since.
Clarity has been the password. “It was one of the biggest things that we focused on in preparation and making sure every single player, whether in the 11 or on the bench [knows it],” Hope said, adding that a big occasion like the World Cup had them grasping the importance of it better.
Matthew Forde, who picked three wickets here, spoke of Sammy’s frequents chats with the team members to ensure everyone was on the same page at all times. “He has created history by winning two World Cups, but he keeps telling us to create our own history,” said the 23-year-old pacer who is on his first visit to India.
“}]]