‘Play well again’ - Reifer impressed with batters’ approach to spin but wants consistency

SYLHET, Bangladesh (CMC):

West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer has lauded the team’s batters for the manner in which they negotiated Bangladesh’s spinners in the opening Test.

The regional side nullified the home team’s spin trio of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Nayeem Hasan on the way to a convincing eight-wicket victory at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

In their second innings, Brandon King scored an unbeaten 81, and John Campbell made 49 in an opening partnership of 112 that propelled the visitors to 170 for two and a victory achieved inside four days.

The batting display was particularly impressive given the West Indies’ well-documented vulnerability to spin bowling.

Speaking ahead of the second Test, which starts on Wednesday, Reifer said he was especially pleased with the positive intent shown by the batters against spin.

“I thought the batting performance was brilliant. Coming to Bangladesh and playing in Dhaka, from history, the pitches turn a lot. It had some things in [for] the seamer from the beginning, but mainly, it is a spinning deck.

“I am very pleased in terms of how the guys batted the spin. We were confident in our defence, rotated the strike very well, and as you saw in the second innings, we took our boundary options chasing down that 170 runs,” Reifer said.

He said the team’s approach during the run chase was the most encouraging aspect of the performance.

“…The most pleasing thing was the way in which we chased down the total, the confidence that we showed, the ability that we showed to play spin. We showed that we are really an improved group of batters versus spin bowling.”

With the Windies holding a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series, Reifer said the challenge now was to produce another strong batting performance in the final Test.

“It’s important that we be consistent with peak performances. Yes, we played well in Dhaka, but it’s important that we come here and play well again.

“This next game starts from zero, so we still have to go through all the processes that we went through in terms of how we start an innings, how we build an innings, understanding when we’re in control and build on it. So, for me, it’s consistency in how they approach batting again,” Reifer said.