Phil Simmons Wants West Indies To Draw Inspiration From Headingley 2017 Victory Ahead Of The Test Series

West Indies coach Phil Simmons has addressed a warning to the batsmen, asking them to pull up their socks ahead of the upcoming tour of England. It was in the year 1988 that the Caribbeans last beat the Englishmen in their backyard as most of their losses have come as a result of their batting capitulations. Phil Simmons also asks his side to carve out spirit from their emphatic win in Headingley three years ago.

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While the tourists have got an impressive bowling attack comprising of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, and Oshane Thomas, the batting line-up looks thin. With the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo also missing, West Indies need their other batsmen to hold the fort. The first Test begins on the 8th of July in Southampton behind closed doors.

Phil Simmons stated that their batsmen are putting in the hard yards to get to that mindset where they need to be. The Old Trafford in Manchester will play as hosts for the last two Tests.

“I think the batters have worked hard on getting to a mental stage of where they need to be because most of them have scored runs here,” Simmons said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The 57-year old lauded Shai Hope, whose role would be crucial in England having scored back to back hundreds. Hence, Simmons expects it all about the mindset since a Test match in the United Kingdom is different from other places.

“(Shay) Hope has got back-to-back hundreds here. It’s about getting to the mental stage where you are prepared for a test match in England, because it’s different to many other places. The next three days of practice is about sharpening up the skills. But mentality is the big thing,”

“We are playing against one of the best test teams in the world and we need to start on the front foot” : Phil Simmons

The Trinidad&Tobago born encouraged their players to take spirit from their win at Leeds in 2017. Headlined by Shai Hope’s blistering hundred in the second Test of that series, the visitors chased down 321 in the fourth innings, bouncing back from a 209-run drubbing in the first.

Nevertheless, West Indies lost that series. Phil Simmons underlined that the match before that turned out as a forgettable one hence they are keen to begin it on a positive note.

“We are drawing on that. The test match before Headingley we were horrible and that seems to be like that most times we go on tour. We are trying to make sure that bad match is taken out of the equation and we start properly,”

Simmons labelled Joe Root’s men as one of the best teams in the world; hence it is essential to take the upper hand early on. And he believes that the triumph at Headingley can restore their confidence. Jason Holders’ men are the current holders of the trophy having won it in 2019 by a 2-1 scoreline on their home soil.

“We are playing against one of the best test teams in the world and we need to start on the front foot. We’re trying to bring back memories of Headingley and get the psychology right,” he added.

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