West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes his team has just as much to play for as Bangladesh in the upcoming two match Test series, despite the Tigers having a better position in the World Test Championship standings.
The series begins at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday, with Bangladesh looking to improve their chances of reaching the WTC final.
Bangladesh currently sit fourth in the standings following some impressive results in recent months.
However, Sammy said West Indies also have their own ambitions and want to finish the current WTC cycle on a positive note.
“I think the stakes are high for both teams. Everybody is playing Test cricket to win,” Sammy told reporters in Mirpur on Monday.
“When the Test Championship started we had our goals where we want to finish. Looking at what we have, the opposition, and we’re in a very good position to achieve that goal.”
Asked whether Bangladesh would face more pressure because of their WTC position, Sammy avoided making any predictions.
“And about the pressure for Bangladesh, you’ll have to ask their head coach that question,” he said.
The former West Indies captain also praised Bangladesh for their recent success in Test cricket, particularly their performances in Australia.
“We obviously know Bangladesh has been playing some good cricket, but so have we been playing some good cricket this year as well,” he said.
Sammy believes West Indies have also improved in the longest format this year, despite their struggles in previous WTC campaigns.
“The expectations are always there. Like I said, the way we’ve played Test cricket this year, we’ve not lost a series this year. It’s a long time we’ve gone through a year without losing a series,” he said.
The Bangladesh series will be West Indies’ final assignment in the current WTC cycle. Sammy wants his players to make the most of their remaining opportunities.
“Ten possible days of Test cricket left in this cycle for us and just go out there and give it your all. Whatever motivates you, use that to go out and get performances,” he said.
Sammy also expects both teams to challenge each other throughout the series.
“And the way both teams have played this year, it’s going to be a keenly contested series. And in the end, whoever holds the momentum more in their favor normally wins, and we come here looking to do that,” he said.
