Ganga upbeat about WI future

BRIDGETOWN: Despite another catastrophic overseas tour, West Indies opener Daren Ganga is upbeat about the immediate future and a turnaround in fortunes for the regional team.

Speaking yesterday at the Grantley Adams International Airport shortly after the squad’s return to the Caribbean from New Zealand, Ganga pointed to a level of team spirit, especially in the aftermath of a shock defeat in the First Test.

“Since I made my debut in 1999, this team that we’ve got and the guys we have around, there is a certain uniqueness about the spirit and about the team unity,” Ganga said.

“Although we lost that match and it was very hurtful, we stood by each other, we supported each other and we ensured that we played together.

“The spirit that we have is unique. This is a unit that is working hard together and can make a difference.

“This is a unit that is willing to commit themselves to the success of West Indies cricket.”

After an opening stand of 148 between Ganga and Chris Gayle, West Indies lost the First Test by 27 runs in Auckland when they were set 291 to win.

They also tasted defeat by ten wickets in the Second Test in Wellington before a rain-ruined third Test in Napier

Their fortunes in the limited-overs series were no better, losing the five-match contest 4-1.

“It was really, really hurtful to lose that First Test match knowing how close we were to winning,” Ganga said.

“I thought we played really good cricket and deserved to win. Be that as it may, I think we are one session short of winning Test matches.

“It’s good to see our performance on an overseas tour as well.

“Our record overseas doesn’t say much but we’re on the right path. It’s just a matter of us getting things together, working to-gether as a team and en-suring that we play together as a team.”

In the limited-overs series, West Indies were also in reasonable positions to press for victories, but were unable to capitalise.

“It is just unfortunate that we didn’t click on at crucial points in games, both in the Test matches and one-day matches,” Ganga said.

“We had New Zealand on the ropes on many occasions and it was just a matter of us not understanding the situation and knowing what was required at the point in time.

“We lacked the mental toughness and the tactical toughness as players.”

The majority of the squad returned to the Caribbean, minus captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul who travelled to United States on business while star batsman Brian Lara is also has business matters in India and England.

(CMC)