Coach Gibson Urges West Indies To Push For 2-0 Win

Coach Gibson Urges West Indies To Push For 2-0 Win

Ottis Gibson (left), pictured here with Andy Flower, has urged his side to go on and seal a 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (GUYANA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has challenged his team to build on their 40-run win over Pakistan in the first Test and Guyana and push for a 2-0 series victory.

The second and final match in the series gets underway on 20th May in Saint Kitts and Gibson wants the same level of effort from his squad, who bet365 make 3/1 to win the match.

"The way we batted out the first day and the way we understood how difficult it was going to be showed me that everyone understood what was happening," he said.

"In the past, given the nature of the pitch we would probably have capitulated, but to hang in there and battle all day on the first day, was what probably set us up for the fight we showed in the next three days.

"The contribution from the lower order was exceptional. One of the things we have changed in our nets is that ‘everybody is a batsman’. Everyone must be seen to be trying to improve in the batting department. That was a huge difference in the match."

Having praised the contributions of the lower order, Gibson went on to pay tribute to the way in which they performed with the ball when they dismissed Pakistan and 160 and 178.

"For (Darren) Sammy, who was under so much pressure, to perform the way he did was a credit to himself and the way he goes about his work. He’s an honest worker and a hard trier. You could not ask for more.

"Also for Ravi (Rampaul), who has been in and out, to come back into the team was great to see. He is a pleasure to work with and has a thirst for knowledge.

"(Devendra) Bishoo came in and did a great job with the ball. He’s a keen, hungry, young cricketer who just wants to get better and do great things for the West Indies. He’s an asset to have around. When he didn’t get any wickets for us in the second innings others stepped up and delivered. That is what team is all about.

"The contribution of the whole team, was great. Everybody worked hard and we all stuck together. We won the first match so that means we can’t lose the series, but we don’t want to stop there. Winning the series is the goal. It has always been the goal.

"Long before the Pakistanis arrived we spoke about the belief in the team that we could win the series. We want to win in St Kitts and take the series. Before Sunday’s result it was more than years since we won a Test match and over two years since we last won a series. You will have to go back a long time since the West Indies last won back-to-back Test matches.

"The team will feed off this win and we will enjoy it. In international sport you have to enjoy your success especially, in our case where our last victory was more than two years ago."

© Cricket World 2011