Opener Devon Smith says batting out the entire last day to save the first Test has further strengthened the West Indies’ self belief that it can compete against England in the ongoing three-Test series.
Set 438 to win the first Test in Antigua, the West Indies produced a sterling performance to pull off a draw, after starting the final day on 98 for two.
“The guys are looking forward to the second Test. To bat a whole day and save a Test match is amazing,” said Smith, on the eve of the second Test which begins here on Tuesday.
“A lot of fans expected us to lose but having said that, the guys went out there and believed themselves and performed to the best of their ability and came up with a draw.
“Sometimes it’s good to be the underdogs because you have nothing to lose but something to prove. So we have no pressure on us, it’s England who has the pressure. They said in the press they would win the series 3-0,” he added.
“It motivates not just me but the whole team to go out there and prove them wrong in what they’ve said. You just have to go out there and perform to the best of our ability.”
Bell not surprised Meanwhile, England batsman Ian Bell has said the West Indies’ fight back didn't “surprise” his team.
“I'm not surprised at all. We knew the kind of cricket we were going to be playing going to go five days,” said Bell.
“I certainly didn't turn up here expecting for them to roll over and this to be an easy series. You never expect that in any international cricket, let alone a Test team.
“I expected competition. Last time I was here I sat on the sidelines but they were long five-day Test matches; it was hard to get 20 wickets and I expected exactly the same,” he added.
And with the pitch at the Grenada National Stadium expected to be another flat one, Bell said it was important that England found new ways to bowl the West Indies out twice.
