Dyson calls for aggression
The West Indies coach has said the team will need to keep up the intensity against India in the four-match ODI series
Cricinfo staff
24-Jun-2009
John Dyson: "They have a lot of cricket to play. They earn good money from playing cricket and it's part of the job." • Associated Press
West Indies coach John Dyson has said his players will have to maintain high intensity levels to ensure success against India in the four-match ODI series, the first of which is at Sabina Park on Friday.
"We will play aggressive cricket, we will play to win as always, and we will aim for consistency of performance," Dyson said. "There is a lot of cricket in any calendar year, but that's what professional cricket's about. They earn good money from playing cricket and it's part of the job."
West Indies have had a packed calendar so far in 2009. The tour of New Zealand ended in January after which they took on England at home from February through April. A few star players like captain Chris Gayle, Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Bravo then left for South Africa to represent their respective franchises in the IPL, held towards the end of April. They had to be back in England mid-way through the tournament for the return series in May, just ahead of the recently-concluded ICC World Twenty20.
Dyson, however, said he expected a total team effort from all his players. "The squad's balanced fairly well," he said. "If you look at the possible side that could walk on the field, we've got an extra batsman, we have an allrounder who is also a very good batsman, [we have] normal pace and reserve pace, which is good. Our spinner [Sulieman Benn], hopefully Chris [Gayle] will be providing back-up spin to him."
When asked if West Indies would target specific Indian players, Dyson said, "We always look at the opposition and try and determine who their key players are, and think of ways to combat them. What we don't know, of course, is the low-profile players, how they are going to perform and perform consistently throughout a series. So that's something we have to monitor as the series progresses."
Dyson said the pitches would also prove crucial in determining which way the series went. "It depends on the sort of wickets we're playing on, on the conditions of the day, and the form our own players are in, and the opposition players are in."