Sammy backs West Indies to finish Bangladesh tour with series sweep

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy wants his team to carry the confidence of their opening Test victory into Sylhet and complete a series sweep against Bangladesh, but he has warned his players against becoming complacent.

The visitors take a 1-0 lead into the second and final Test, which begins at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, after securing an eight-wicket win in Mirpur.

Sammy said the team had been challenged to maintain its winning approach while showing even greater determination in the series finale.
"Same mentality, a little bit more hunger," Sammy said, referring to the message from captain Roston Chase.

"The captain has challenged them from the time we got here about what the mission is. It is also important that we finish the year on a high."

The coach credited West Indies' preparation in Chennai, particularly their work against spin, for the way the batters handled Bangladesh's bowling in the opening Test. He singled out batting coach Floyd Reifer for his contribution to that preparation.

"I must commend the entire team for the way we fought, we stayed in the game," Sammy said.

"But I must go to the preparation that was put into that camp. Kudos to Cricket West Indies for allowing us to practise and prepare in Chennai at the academy. Floyd Reifer, and the work that he did with the batters, preparing them for these conditions, led us to what you saw from the batters versus spin," he added.

Sammy was particularly pleased that his side had outperformed Bangladesh in the spin battle, both with the ball and while batting.

"I think our spinners outbowled their spinners and our batsmen responded to playing spin better than theirs," he said, describing that as one of the most satisfying aspects of the victory.

The West Indies coach also praised Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons, acknowledging that the hosts would be determined to level the series.

"One thing I know about Phil is that he will not make it easy. He wants to win as well," Sammy said.

He added that his players' hunger, determination, work ethic and attention to detail had given him confidence ahead of the Sylhet challenge.

Sammy also offered an early assessment of the Sylhet surface, saying its history suggested that it could be a good batting wicket, although the grass on the pitch would need to be assessed closer to the match.

Meanwhile, West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer stressed that the team must not take its opening victory for granted.

"It's important that we be consistent and we pick performances. Yes, we played well in Dhaka, but it's important that we come here and play well again. You know, this next game starts from zero," Reifer said.

He urged the batters to follow the same processes they had used in the first Test, including building partnerships, judging when they were in control and making the most of those periods.

For West Indies, the Sylhet Test offers an opportunity to secure a clean sweep and end their current World Test Championship campaign on a positive note. Bangladesh, meanwhile, need a victory to level the series.