NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC) – Coach Stuart Williams says West Indies will be focused on delivering a consistent performance when they face United Arab Emirates in their crucial World Cup fixture here on Sunday.
The Caribbean side are battling for a spot in the quarter-finals and need to beat UAE convincingly and hope other results go their way, in order to qualify for the next round.
However, the Windies have been erratic throughout the competition and Williams hopes they can put that behind them against UAE.
“For us, it is about consistency, it is just for us to get it right. Once they get it right, we are quite comfortable,” Williams said.
“The bowlers are getting into their own now [so] it’s sad that the batters have dropped off a little bit. For us now, it is about getting our total ‘A’ game for Sunday.”
West Indies lie fifth in Group B on four points and as it stands, could be heading out of the competition unless results go in their favour in the other Group B fixtures.
Unbeaten group leaders India have already qualified on ten points but South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland are locked on six points, with a game to play.
The Proteas are likely to beat UAE on Thursday and seal their berth in the next round, leaving West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland to vie for the last two spots.
For sure, West Indies need full points against UAE to have any chance of qualifying, and Williams said it was important the players were mentally prepared for the task.
“At the end of the day, it has nothing to do with the toss. The toss is going to be important, yes, but on the day we will work out our maths as to what we want to do and what we need to do to qualify,” the former Test batsman said.
“That’s why we want to get the guys in the right frame of mind and it has started from training, we’re getting their focus right, getting ourselves together and hitting our straps.”
Williams said while the team’s form had been patchy, the Windies boasted a strong squad, and praised in-form strike bowler Jerome Taylor who has been among the leading wicket-takers with 11 scalps.
“Jerome Taylor is now coming back into international cricket from injury, from a long layoff of about three or four years,” said Williams.
“He started very slowly in South Africa but since he’s got here, he’s building up and his fitness level has come up and the ball is just coming out of his hands much better. He’s leading from in front and doing a good job for us.”
He added: “We have a settled team. If you look at the tournament, we’ve probably just replaced one [player for another] but we have a settled team. We have good fast bowlers, good spinners and excellent batters. For us, it’s just executing at the end of the day and just performing, and being consistent.”
