Windies will come hard at Zimbabwe, warns skipper

Christchurch, Feb 22 (IANS) Following their comprehensive 150-run victory over Pakistan, captain Jason Holder has warned that the West Indies plan to be aggressive Tuesday when they take on Zimbabwe in a World Cup Pool B clash at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

“Obviously we’ve gained some momentum and looking into Tuesday’s game against Zimbabwe, we just want to be aggressive. I don’t think Zimbabwe should be underestimated but having said that, we’re playing some very good cricket right now so we just want to keep the momentum going through," said Holder, reported CMC.

The West Indies came under fire following their shock four-wicket defeat to minnows Ireland in their opening game at Saxton Oval in Nelson last week.

However, they hit back strongly Saturday, piling up 310/6 at the Hagley Oval here with Denesh Ramdin top scoring with 51, Lendl Simmons getting 50 and Darren Bravo stroking 49 before retiring hurt.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor then grabbed the first three wickets to reduce Pakistan to 1/4, a position from which they never recovered. They were bowled out for 160 off 39 overs.

“We’ve done a lot of talking over the last few days and it was actually good to see the guys come and apply themselves, bat the situations that we asked them to bat a little bit better. We got starts from Bravo and Ramdin and then it was very good to see the way the guys finished the innings," Holder added.

“Jerome was excellent and I was very, very proud of him. The way he came back after obviously not bowling his best in the previous games leading up to this one, and to see the way he just came in and stuck to his task and started for us was just phenomenal.”

The win meant a lot to Holder. In only his second series as skipper, he had already suffered five defeats in his first six One-Day Internationals (ODI). The victory halted his losing slump as well as the team’s and he praised his team mates for rallying around him.

“Any victory feels very good. There’s no sweeter feeling than winning. Being captain is just another stepping stone for me but to win this game for the team and the way the guys actually came through for me in the end, was just pleasing,” said the skipper.