KANDY, CMC:
WEST INDIES are confident of reaching the final of another triangular limited-overs cricket series heading into the last two preliminary matches against Sri Lanka today and Zimbabwe tomorrow.
With two wins and one defeat from their three matches, Sri Lanka top the standings with 10 points and have virtually assured themselves of a place in next Wednesday's final at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium.
Net run rate places West Indies in second position on four points, the same number as third-placed Zimbabwe, so it means the Caribbean visitors will have to win both or at least tomorrow's match to confirm their berth in the final.
West Indies manager Ricky Skerritt disclosed that the players are aware of what lies ahead for them over the coming days at the Asgiriya Stadium and are anxious to get the job done.
"After such a good victory over Sri Lanka, obviously the players are looking forward to this weekend," he told the CMCsports radio programme yesterday.
"We know we have to play well in both matches. We want to get into the final and that has always been our objective, so we just want to go out there and be the best that we can be."
West Indies named Ricardo Powell as the only change to their final eleven for Saturday's match against Sri Lanka. Powell has been included ahead of left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins, who has been afflicted with a strained right side muscle over the last few days.
"It's just a niggle really, so we will rest him for Saturday's match and, if he has recovered enough, he will most likely play on Sunday," Skerritt said.
Asked if the fighting spirit the side has shown in recent limited-overs internationals is indicative of their penchant for this form of the game and not Test cricket, Skerritt offered a cautious response.
"The inexperience, perhaps, shows up much more in the longer version of the game than it does in the shorter version," he remarked.
"The problem with this team is that we tend to be inconsistent and it's easier to win when we've had an excellent day in a limited-overs match than to win a Test match when we've had just an excellent one or two days.
"In Tests, we need to have several days at our best and that's the difference between this side winning and losing. We are not doing well everyday and until we begin to do well everyday, we will not win as many Tests as we would like."
West Indies were swept by Sri Lanka in the preceding Test series 3-0.
West Indies XI: Carl Hooper (captain), Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Neil McGarrell, Corey Collymore, Jermaine Lawson.
