TAROUBA, Trinidad – Captain Rovman Powell says he will not be placing his struggling side under any pressure ahead of Thursday’s series decider against England.
West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell.West Indies led the five-match Twenty20 International series 2-0 but lost the last two games comprehensively to now find themselves in a scrap.
Powell said Wednesday’s off day would be used to allow players to do a mental reset so they could execute with clarity in the do-or-die contest at Brian Lara Stadium.
“It’s not punishment. The guys will just relax,” Powell said following Tuesday’s 75-run clobbering in the fourth T20 International at the same venue.
“Sometimes when things [are] not going your way, instead of pushing the guys to train, sometimes you just need to back off as a team.
“[You need to] just back off and give them some alone time, give them some space because it’s a thinking game and once guys are clear in their minds, they generally can execute.
“Tomorrow we’ll find some time and let guys spend by themselves, get some clarity, know how they want to play and then we’ll come on Thursday and see how best we can execute.”
West Indies started the series strongly with a four-wicket victory at Kensington Oval in Barbados before winning the first of the double-header in Grenada by ten runs.
However, England produced a magnificent run chase in the next game to win by seven wickets, before amassing a record total here Tuesday to completely outclass the hosts.
“It’s a very thin line. We’re playing against world class players and you know, once you don’t execute properly then they’re going to put you under pressure,” Powell pointed out.
“That’s been the case for the series – once England’s bowlers haven’t executed, we put them under pressure and now is our turn to feel some of that pressure.”
Last year, a similar five-match T20 series against England in the Caribbean also went down to the wire after West Indies led 2-1, while a three-match series in South Africa also went the distance after the Caribbean side led 1-0.
They eventually won both series.
“It’s kind of a struggle for the third straight series,” Powell said.
“We’ve failed, after being in good positions, to close out the series but Thursday provides another opportunity for us to do that.”
