Cable and Wireless ODIs: Thriller in store

Kingston - If what unfolded at Sabina Park last weekend was a drama, rest assured that a thriller is in store here this weekend.

The stage remains the same, but a few actors have been added to the production and the costumes have been changed.

The twists and turns of a five-day Test match will give way to the frenetic pace of a One-Day International.

There is also a touch of history.

The match signals the start of the Caribbean's first ever trination limited-over series, which also features the newly-crowned Sharjah Cup champions, Pakistan.

The star of the Test match is missing, Courtney Walsh taking a predicted rest after an emotionally-draining last couple days after breaking the Test wicket-taking record.

While Walsh sits out, limited-overs specialists like the bighitting Philo Wallace and Ricardo Powell get their chance.

The types of game of last weekend and this weekend are vastly different, but West Indies captain Jimmy Adams reckons the transition is not a difficult one.

'Most of us have been doing this for quite a few years. It is something that you get used to,' he said yesterday.

'The physical side of the game is more or less the same, but there has to be an area of adjustment in the technical side.

'They are minor, but still have to be done because of the nature of the One-Day game.'

Adams spoke with the knowledge that the West Indies' record in the shortened version of the game has been abysmal since last summer's World Cup - a mere seven wins against 13 defeats, many of which were embarrassing to say the least.

He would not be drawn into a discussion on the problems and the solutions. Instead, he tried to highlight the team's objective.

'We would be here all day if we talk about problems and solutions,' he said. 'We're looking for a level of consistency that we haven't had recently.

'That is what all our energies are channelled towards: getting to a level of playing good, consistent cricket.'

Zimbabwe have also taken a nose-dive since the World Cup in which they beat mighty South Africa en route to reaching the Super Sixes second stage.

The feeling in their camp, however, is that three wins in their last 20 limited-overs matches do not reflect the quality of the team.

'I think our guys have got quite a decent One-Day record,' said coach Dave Houghton.

It stands at 38 wins and 100 defeats since the first of their 146 matches in 1983.

'To be honest, I think the West Indies are the only side we have not beaten in One-Day cricket. We've got something to prove on this trip and hopefully we'll do it this weekend.'

Asked if he felt Zimbabwe were a better One-Day team or a Test side, he was non-committal.

'I'll answer that on Monday. We've got a decent One-Day record, but One-Day cricket is a hard game,' he said.

'You can't afford to make any little errors. You've got to be at your best all day. It's a tough game, but I think we'll play it well.'

Like the West Indies, Zimbabwe have made changes, flying in three players who can make significant contributions with bat or ball: Guy Whittall, Gary Brent and Dirk Viljoen.