Darren Sammy urges West Indies to show fight

Darren Sammy last played a Test match for West Indies in December 2013.

©REUTERS / Action Images

 

West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy has urged the Test team to put up a fight against Australia in the remaining two matches of the ongoing series.

The visitors were completely outclassed by Australia in the first Test at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart and lost by an innings and 212 runs.

Sammy, who was West Indies Test captain between 2010 and 2013 urged the team to draw inspiration from the performance in the 2009 tour of Australia. 

In 2009, West Indies suffered an innings defeat in the first Test in Brisbane but bounced back to draw the second game in Adelaide. 

The third Test in Perth was a close contest with West Indies falling short of a victory by just 36 runs while chasing down a target of 359 as Australia sealed the series 2-0.

“I remember the last time we were in Australia we lost quite badly in Brisbane, but then we pulled ourselves together in Adelaide and Perth, where we could have actually won the Test series,” said Sammy.

“Hopefully it is that case, and even if we don't win the next two Test matches, but we must compete much better than we did in the first.

“I am fully committed to one dayers and T20 Internationals for West Indies - that is still my passion - but I really wish that things could turn around here in Australia.” 

After allowing Australia to score 583 runs in the first innings, West Indies were bowled out for scores of 223 and 148 with only Darren Bravo and Kraigg Brathwaite offering any kind of resistance.

Admitting that the defeat against Australia in the first Test was difficult to digest, Sammy is hoping that the youngsters in the squad can progress quickly by gaining some experience under their belt.

“I watched the first Test and it is difficult times; we won't hide from it; it is difficult times in West Indies cricket right now.

“We have a young captain in Jason Holder.

“When he took the job we told him it was going to be a tough job; I went through it when I was captain.

“It will take time for us to get back to where we were in Test cricket, but we have some good youngsters coming through and I guess with experience and the right guidance, the (Darren) Bravo, the (Kraigg) Brathwaite, even the Jason Holder's, they could learn quickly.” 

Sammy, who last played a Test in 2013 also stressed on the importance of putting up a good fight against Australia even if the results don’t go their way.

“Even though we don't win Test matches, we fight to the end.

“That is basically what the fans at home are asking for.

“They want to see that never-say-die attitude.

“At the end of the day you are not only playing for yourself, but you are playing for the six or seven million people from the Caribbean that are diehard cricket lovers.” 

Before the second Test match in Melbourne which begins on Boxing Day, West Indies will play a two-day tour game against Victoria XI in Geelong on 19th and 20th December. 

© Cricket World 2015