Simmons searching best 11 for Test in warm-up games -

January 29, 2021
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West Indies head coach Phil Simmons will be utilising the ongoing three-day practice match against a Bangladesh Board XI to fine-tune preparations for the upcoming two-Test matches, which starts on February 3.

Having spent close to three weeks in Bangladesh, the Test squad will be getting their first taste of match action with coach Simmons saying he will be using the game to come up with his best combination for the first Test in Chattogram.

For Simmons, the warm-up game is the perfect opportunity for the players to acclimatise to the Bangladesh wickets.

"The main thing you are looking for is thought and understanding of how they are going to bat in the upcoming games. I am sure every one of them has their plans on how they are going to play spin or the fast bowlers. How they are going to play is up to them, but they must make sure they know how they are going to score when the time comes," said Simmons.

Put in a good showing

The Bangladesh Board XI does not include any left-arm spinner in their squad, however, the West Indies are expected to face a couple in the Test series.

Simmons is hoping that his bowling unit can also put in a good showing in the coming days.

"It's about knowing and learning how to bowl on these wickets. Everywhere you go in the world is different, you are going to have to bowl different lengths and line and if the wicket is flat, you have to know what you want to do," he said.

In the meantime, middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood says he is eager to get out in the middle and continue his rich vein of form that saw him dominating last year.

"You have to look to score, I plan to look to score. Once you look to score, you are going to be positive in whatever you do whether it be in defence or attack, so I am looking to score at all times," said Blackwood.

The Jamaican right-hander says one of the things he would relish is batting with his close friend and compatriot, John Campbell.

"Hopefully in this series John and I can spend some time in the middle because we have good communication. Whenever we bat, we normally score, because we bat similar. John is a guy who scores freely and I know once we can bat together and spend time at the crease, we are going to cause some problems for the opposition," Blackwood added.

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