A day before the first Test, the West Indies remained mired in uncertainty while South Africa confidently finished their build-up for the four-match series starting at Bourda on Thursday. The West Indies Cricket Board chief executive was peppered with questions on Wednesday about rumours of a possible last-minute players’ strike.
West Indies captain Brian Lara said on Monday his team need to prepare better if they hope to regain their former position as one of Test cricket’s elite teams. The 35-year-old expressed concern that his side continue to play their best cricket too late in the series.
The West Indies survived a panic attack to scrape a one-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the first one-day cricket international at Arnos Vale on Saturday. Chasing a paltry 145 to win, the West Indies collapsed from 81 for two to 133-9 before all-rounder Ian Bradshaw and last man Fidel Edwards carried the home side to victory.