Khan

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies team manager Omar Khan says the regional side needs to sustain their intensity if they are to beat top sides in international cricket.

Speaking on the local sports programme SportsFans, Khan said West Indies' performances were sporadic and noted that management were currently working towards improving this department.

"We saw against Australia where they competed very well in the Test series but towards the end of the tour they did not have the fight," Khan said.

"I think the down point came in the final Test in Barbados when we bowled out the Australians for a reasonable score and we knew that if we batted well we would have won the match.

Intensity needed

"The guys did not bat well in the first innings and after this I think the fight went out of the players. We have been working with them in this department and we are going to see better results soon.

"We can beat an England or Pakistan right now but if we want to compete against teams like Australia and South Africa we need to have that intensity at the same high level throughout a series. All this comes with professionalism and we are working towards that."

Despite showing fight throughout the recent Test series against Australia, West Indies lost the series 2-0 after losing the first Test in Jamaica and the third Test in Barbados. The second Test in Antigua was drawn.

The one-day series, however, proved lopsided with West Indies suffering a 5-0 whitewash and were a shadow of the team they were in the Test series.

Caribbean has talent

"A lot has been said of the fact that we possess talent in the Caribbean. However, we have not been returning the positive results as consistently as we would like," Khan pointed out.

"We think one of the major problems facing the players is maintaining that intensity for long periods."

Khan also called on his players to take responsibility for the future success of the regional team.

"These guys have to understand that they have a contribution to make to the overall betterment of the team and they have to take ownership," he contended.

"We have seen a lot of positives in this department where players are now coming out and sharing their views on the game."