West Indies coach Andre Coley has urged his players to draw on the resilience they demonstrated in Australia earlier this year as they prepare for their ongoing series against England, following a heavy defeat in the first Test at Lord's.
In January, the West Indies faced a 10-wicket defeat by Australia at Adelaide Oval in the first of two Tests. However, they made a remarkable comeback with a victory at the Gabba, where Shamar Joseph claimed seven wickets in the second innings. As the second Test at Trent Bridge approaches on Thursday, Coley encouraged his team to believe they can force a decider at Edgbaston.
Reflecting on the Gabba Test, Coley highlighted the importance of the process behind their comeback rather than the result itself. He noted that bouncing back in a series after a poor start can set the stage for a competitive final game.
Coley acknowledged that despite the heavy defeat in the first Test, his team has gained valuable experience. With two weeks to acclimatise and time spent in the middle, he believes there are important lessons and positives to take forward.
The coach admitted that the West Indies team is young and still developing but remains optimistic about their approach to the second Test. The players are in high spirits, and the team has had time to settle and prepare for the upcoming match in Nottingham.
Coley highlighted some positives from the first Test, particularly the bowling performance that saw England bowled out for 371. However, he urged his batters to build longer partnerships and increase their intensity in the field.
Acknowledging the challenging conditions of Test cricket, especially away from home, Coley stressed that his team has the potential to compete with England. He praised the efforts of players like Jayden Seales, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, and Gudakesh Motie, who played crucial roles in the first Test.
Coley expressed a desire to see his team show more intensity in the field, aiming to impose themselves on the England batters more effectively in the next Test.
Shamar Joseph experienced stiffness in his left hamstring during the first Test, which caused him to leave the field mid-over. A decision on his availability for the second Test has not yet been made, with the team scheduled to train at Trent Bridge on Tuesday morning.