I am not going to Bangladesh to lose – Blackwood

January 05, 2021
Blackwood
Blackwood
West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite bats against New Zealand on day three of their first Test in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite bats against New Zealand on day three of their first Test in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
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Jamaica and West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood says he will be banking on his recent form and transform that confidence into a winning mentally when the regional side takes on Bangladesh in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs)- and two Test matches later this month.

Blackwood and an understrength West Indies side are expected to leave the Caribbean later this week for the tour which will be missing regular Test captain Jason Holder, ODI captain Kieron Pollard and several other key senior members of the team who opted out due to the coronavirus.

For Blackwood, the aim is to get off to a winning start to the new year down in Bangladesh, following back-to-back series losses to England and New Zealand in 2020.

"I know we have some young guys that have come into the squad, but I think they are good players and we have a good team. Once we can play as a group and as a team, and stick to our plans and work with captain Kraigg Brathwaite, I think we can win. I can tell you, I am not going down there to lose," said Blackwood.

The last time the West Indies toured Bangladesh back in the 2018-2019 season, only captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Raymon Reifer, Shannon Gabriel, Jomel Warrican and Kemar Roach were a part of that Test squad who will be returning for the current tour.

For Blackwood, the key for himself and the other youngsters in the team is preparation.

"As a professional player playing cricket, you have to prepare your mind for any condition. I haven't played in Bangladesh for years now, but I know they have a lot of good spinners and good fast bowlers," he said.

"I am just going down there and prepare my mind for everything. I am looking forward to the challenge, and I can't wait to get out there and score some runs for my team."

In the meantime, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have named preliminary squads for the upcoming ODI and Test series against West Indies. The board have named former Test captain Shakib Al Hasan in the preliminary ODI and Test squads, meaning the 33-year-old will soon make his comeback to international cricket following his one-year ICC ban, which ended in October last year.

Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza has missed out in the 24-man ODI squad, with Tamim Iqbal named the captain for the upcoming three-match series in Bangladesh, starting on January 20.

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