Ramdin: We have to play smart vs Sri Lanka
Published: Guardian
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
T&T and West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin says that for the West Indies to defeat Sri Lanka in the semis of the World T20 tournament, they have to play smart cricket and the top order has to fire. Ramdin was making his comments after the West Indies decimated Pakistan in their final preliminary round game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh, yesterday. With the win the West Indies will now meet Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium tomorrow in the semifinal. It is a re-match of the finals of the tournament which was held in Sri Lanka in 2012.
Ramdin who created a T20 record of four stumpings said: “Sri Lanka is a tough team to beat but once we continue to play smart cricket, I seen no reason why we cannot get into the finals. “They are very tricky, they have experience with guys like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillekeratne Dilshan, so we need to walk with our A-game when we meet.
Our top order has to come good and give us that start within the first six overs, so that the other hitters can come in and play their natural game. “The win against Pakistan was great. We got a confidence booster and we are happy at the moment. I looked at the way Chris Gayle was moving on the field, wanting to be in the action all the time and really encouraging the bowlers and this was a dangerous sign going into the semifinals.
” Man-of-the-match Dwayne Bravo said West Indies all support skipper Darren Sammy hence the reason for success. “We have no malice in our team, whether it is Sammy or Gayle as the captain we support them and this is why this team is doing good. We are looking forward to the semifinals and we know that Sri Lanka is used to the conditions, they just won the Asia Cup here and they will be dangerous. Having said that we are a team with great self belief and we are going to fight all the way.” (VM)
