Khan

PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC ):

WEST INDIES team manager Omar Khan has delivered a verbal flogging to the Caribbean side for its lack of fighting spirit in the just-concluded Digicel one-day international (ODI) series.

Clearly peeved over the team's display in their 5-0 whitewash at the hands of the touring Australians, Khan said the team needs players who are ready and willing to stand up and fight for the sake of the region.

"It's time that we identify the players with the right attitude that would go out with pride and passion and fight for the cause of West Indies cricket," Khan said.

Already 2-0 winners of the Test series last month, world champions Australia completed the ODI series sweep on Sunday in St Kitts with a massive 169-run thrashing of the Windies.

Khan said the Caribbean side's performance in the ODIs was hugely disappointing.

"We were competitive in the Test series against the Aussies and after winning the Twenty20 game, we thought that the players would have gone into the limited-overs series full of energy. However, this did not happen and they went in there very flat. I told the players that they must try to emulate the Australians," he added.

Khan suggested that the Australians overcame their setbacks through commitment and pride.

"Even though they (the Australians) had so many players who retired around the same time and those missing through injuries, the replacements all came to fight the West Indies because they were proud to be representing their country," he said.

Looking ahead, Khan said the task of upgrading the quality of the team would be very difficult for his management and coaching staff, but there was hope.

"The management team, as well as the coaching team, know the challenges that lay ahead and we have our work cut out for us. There is a lot to be done to turn our cricket around and once we can put in the hard work, the results will come."

Khan conceded that the West Indies were plagued by injuries and this played a part in the eventual result.

"Injuries played a part in the outcome of the series, but I am making no excuses. The real problem is one of commitment and the players must want to do well for West Indies. Mental work needs to be done with the players and we need for them to understand their roles on the team and to perform at the level that is required," Khan said.