Bradshaw believes West Indies can lift trophy

Ian Bradshaw hasn't ruled out a West Indian World Cup victory, despite a run of three Super Eights defeats on the trot for the hosts. The West Indies need to beat South Africa on April 10 to stay in the tournament and, as Bradshaw put it, would need to be "near perfect" to become the first host nation to lift the trophy.

"It is pretty straightforward for us from here on in - we have to try and win each game and win as convincingly as possible," Bradshaw, 32, told Reuters. "Now we must improve each and every aspect of our game and leave nothing to chance. We have to play near perfect games from here on in.

"If we work hard we can get out from the Super Eights then we are confident that we can play two good games, in the semi-final and the final, to win the Cup. We still have dreams of lifting the cup on the 28th, it is not beyond us but first and foremost we have to take care of these three games."

The West Indies have been criticised by many quarters, not least former players and the local media, and Bradshaw said it had not gone unseen by the team. "You are conscious of it. Family, friends and the fans are disappointed because they are looking for more from the team and we ourselves are really disappointed because we started well and just fell off in the last three games, which were unfortunately critical games for us.

"That has put us in the situation where we have to win the last three games and have other results turn our way. It means getting the runs on the board, bowling tight and taking wickets and having the energy in the field."

Bradshaw has played just two of West Indies' six games so far, but said he looked at the game against South Africa as if he were a certainty.