IND vs WI: It Is Hurtful And Doesn’t Make For Good Watching: Phil Simmons On West Indies' Batting Woes

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons wants the batters to assess their poor batting performance after they were blanked 3-0 by India in the ODI series on Friday.

West Indies couldn’t manage to go past the 200-run mark in any of the matches as they were bowled out for 176, 193 & 169 by the Indian bowlers, who came heavy on them in terms of discipline in their line and lengths.

Batting is a huge concern: Phil Simmons

Simmons admitted that their batting unit hurts their chances of winning the games and called for change and improvement from the batters. The West Indies head coach also credited their bowlers for sticking up to their plans.

“Mode of dismissals is the biggest issue. It is hurtful and doesn’t make for good watching. Assessing the situation and knowing what to do…players have to sit and get it right. We can’t go on like this,” Simmons said at the post-match conference.

“People have to stand up as we go into the next set of ODIs and make sure that they are batting for the West Indies and what we have to do as a unit. It is a huge concern.

“I don’t think technique is an issue. Batters need to assess the situation better. I think the bowlers are a little more disciplined than the batters and sticking to the plans we have for the Indian batsmen. Discipline has been much better from the bowlers,” he added. 

Kieron Pollard will be back to 100 per cent in the next few days: Phil Simmons

West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard missed the last two matches after he went through a niggle ahead of the second ODI on February 9, vice-captain Nicholas Pooran lead the team in Pollard’s absence. Giving an update on Pollard’s injury, Simmons is hopeful that the star all-rounder will return in action for the T20I series against India.

“I don’t like to go into medical things. Polly has a niggle in his knee. Was not ready for today. Hopefully, Pollard will be back to 100 per cent in the next few days,” Simmons said. 

India will take on West Indies in three T20I matches after dominating the visitors in the 50-over format. The first T20I will be played on February 16 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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