We're trying to survive through the testing times: Pooran

After facing yet another ODI series defeat to India, West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran said that his players are ‘hurting’ but he is confident they can turn things around in the 50 over format. By the way, the loss in the second ODI at the Port of Spain was West Indies’ eighth defeat on the bounce in the 50 over format. 

Pooran also said that winning or losing is a habit and currently they are ‘finding ways to lose games’ “The confidence level is still there”, Pooran said in the press. “The guys are obviously hurt. Those two losses obviously hurt us a lot but there is another game and that's another experience and another opportunity for us to learn. This game keeps teaching us different things and I'm just happy that we've had that experience. It's difficult to obviously lose, I'm disappointed, but that's where the learning takes place and as a group we understand that and we know that for a fact that it's our time now.

"I keep saying winning and losing is contagious and at the moment in ODI cricket we're losing and we're finding ways to lose games, but in terms of the confidence level, all the guys are ready for the challenge again. We're ready to come out there and put our hearts and souls out there and perform together as a team," he added.

Despite suffering two agonisingly painful losses in the opening two games, the hosts can take enough positives. They were able to mount totals in excess of 300 in both the games and the bowling was also good in patches.

"We're just starting to obviously put performances together. I don't want to come to a conclusion and say our batting is our strength or our bowling is our strength. As a team we're still figuring it out. We haven't put a collective effort together yet, obviously the results haven't shown that yet, but the more games we play as a unit, we're going to figure it out and we're close to crossing the line and actually figuring it out what is our strength as a team.

"I want both facets to be our strength, to be honest. That's how we're going to win cricket games. We're just staying the moment, trying to learn as fast as possible and sticking through these tough times as a team."

WI opener, Shai Hope went on to smash his 13th ODI ton in the second game against India. However, his strike rate of 75.11 in ODIs has come under scrutiny. Infact, his strike turns out to be the lowest among the top 10 run-getters in ODIs in the last six years. Pooran, though, came to the aid of his teammate and said the opener is performing his role as per the needs of the team. 

"His role has remained the same for the last five years. I think he just needs to bat and bat through. He doesn't need to study about the strike rate or any other thing. He just needs to be out there for the team. We know once he's there, he's going to score runs for us and that is what matters the most, I think. He just being out there obviously sends a message and there's a bit of a calm in the dressing room as well.

"We know at one end he's holding up things and other guys just need to fine-tune themselves to do their job and do what the team is required of them at that moment. He's very important to our team and he knows that. Time and time again, he keeps putting his hands up and keeps proving to everyone how good he is as a player."

In other positive news for the WI camp, Pooran said that Shimron Hetmeyer has passed the fitness test and will be available for selection in the future. The 25 year old hasn’t been a part of the West Indies’ squad since the T20 World Series last year on fitness grounds. 

 "He [Hetmyer] passed his fitness test this morning, which is wonderful news. So, we expect to see him back as soon as possible. I can't tell you exactly when because I'm not sure, but as soon as possible and as soon as you can get him on the field."