Hinds
MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC:
IT MAY be fast becoming a
distant memory in the increasingly hectic international cricket schedule, but Wavell Hinds feels 'the confidence and self-belief sparked by the West Indies'
triumph at the ICC Champions' Trophy will serve the Caribbean side in good stead in the VB Series.
West Indies are preparing to face hosts and world champions Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday (Thursday night Caribbean Time) in the opening match of the Series. The other team in the competition is Pakistan.
"We're pretty confident," Hinds told reporters yesterday when asked if the team still retained the good feeling of the thrilling, two-wicket victory over England in the Final in London 3-1/2 months ago.
"The guys started to believe in themselves a bit more after that success. The intervention of Bennett King and his team, with their work ethic and training methods, has also been positive."
For all of this, Hinds acknowledges that taking on the world champions on their home turf is the true test.
BENCHMARK
"Playing against Australia is a great motivation," he noted. "It's the benchmark of any team to take them on, and I think we'll be up to the challenge on Friday."
As one of the few players in the squad with experience of Australian conditions, Hinds expects to make that knowledge count over the next few weeks.
"Being here four years ago has helped me a lot," he explained. "I know what to expect. I've played against the Australians and Pakistanis quite a few times. The conditions may be more suited to their style of play, but we are
prepared for it and will take on the challenge as it comes."
Emphasising that the industrial dispute that threatened the tour is well and truly behind them, Hinds contended that while the West Indies may lack the abundance of stars that Australia
possess, they have their own potent weapon.
GREATEST STRENGTH
"Playing as a team worked for us in the ICC Champions Trophy series," he responded to a question about the team's greatest strength. "We stuck with each other. We stuck to the basics and worked our game plan effectively and efficiently. I don't think it should be any different playing against the Australians."
In that spirit of unity and selflessness, Hinds is prepared to do whatever is asked of him in the quest for success, including taking on more responsibilities as a bowler.
"Whether I bowl or not is up to the captain, but I'm ready for the job," he said. "I've been practising a lot and changing up my options, varying my pace and working on my accuracy. If called upon, I'm very much
prepared."
