Harper ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA:
WEST INDIES' coach Roger Harper has called for more consistency from his players following Wednesday's eight-wicket loss to South Africa in the second Cable and Wireless One-Day International at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
The victory enabled South Africa to level the seven-match series 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first game in Jamaica on Saturday by three wickets with a boundary off the last ball.
"We saw in Jamaica both in the Test match and in the one-day game there, the sort of standard we are capable of but as has been in the past, our problem is putting out that sort of quality performance on consistent basis, day in day out," Harper told reporters after the match.
"This is what we are striving for and this is what if we really want to compete and be a force to be reckoned with, we have to do on a day-to-day basis," Harper added.
"We have young players, who have to gain experience and learn what is required in each situation and how to go about it," Harper noted.
Despite an opening stand of 63 in 19.3 overs between Chris Gayle and Leon Garrick, Harper said the necessary acceleration at the critical stage of the innings did not materialise, resulting in a final total of 220 for eight.
South Africa easily overtook the Windies' total with 4.1 overs to spare, reaching 221 for two with opener Herschelle Gibbs scoring 104 - his fourth one-day international century and Jacques Kallis making an unbeaten 78.
"Looking at the game, we won't complain too much about the first 15 (overs) but from 10 to 25, having not lost a wicket, we should have been able to step on the gas and get close to a hundred by 25 overs and I think in the last ten, we could have done a little bit better as well," Harper said.
Garrick faced 61 balls for his supporting knock of 16 and star batsman Brian Lara was unable to find boundaries during his 38-ball knock with all 13 of his runs coming in singles.
"Unfortunately, we expect so much of Brian and today (Wednesday), he didn't sort of deliver the sort of quality performance that we expected of him," Harper observed.
"But we saw in Jamaica what he is capable of and we think as the series goes on, he will get better and better," Harper added.
