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WEST Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said the humiliation his team suffered is behind them as they aim to make the region proud in what will be the 100th Test match against India.
India defeated West Indies by an innings and 141 runs in the first Test match at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wrecked the West Indies' batting ending the match with 12 wickets.
The second match bowls off at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair on Thursday at 10 am. The players and the fans will be hoping for clear skies despite Wednesday's showers which forced India to train indoors.
"It is an honour to be participating in the 100th game,” Brathwaite told reporters at the oval on Wednesday. “Obviously the first game is gone and we have to put that behind us. Better pitch here, good pitch as we see here in Trinidad. I just want them to enjoy it, back their plans both as batsmen and bowlers and let's make the region proud."
[caption id="attachment_1026299" align="alignnone" width="1024"] West Indies performance mentor Brian Lara (C) speaks with Cricket West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes (L) and West Indies captain Kriagg Brathwaite at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair, on Wednesday. West Indies face India in the 100th Test between the two teams on Thursday. - Anisto Alves[/caption]
Speaking more about the first Test match, Brathwaite said, “We have had some good discussions once again and the guys are looking forward. It’s gone (the first Test), you can't do anything about it...it is history. You can't change the result. It is all about our mental preparation going into this game, especially as batters. I think also we have to play the situation a lot better and just be smart. The main thing for the guys is to enjoy it, what is gone is gone.”
Brathwaite was hoping for a wicket more suitable for pace bowling and he is satisfied with the conditions at the oval.
All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall is unavailable due to illness, therefore Raymon Reifer has been brought back into the 13-man squad.
"He (Cornwall) is not available. He has a slight congestion, so he won't be in the squad for the second game."
Reifer struggled in the first Test and it may allow Jamaican Kirk McKenzie to make his debut batting at the key number three position.
"Kirk most likely will come in at number three. Obviously not confirmed yet because we are going to have a meeting shortly, but highly possible Kirk McKenzie will be at three."
India coach Rahul Dravid is also anticipating the historic second match. “A really great occasion to play 100 Test matches between India and the West Indies, two great cricketing nations (and) really proud cricketing countries. (They) have been really successful cricketing nations as well, some great cricketers have played over these 100 Test matches.”
[caption id="attachment_1026298" align="alignnone" width="1024"] West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph takes part in a training session, at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair, on Wednesday as his team prepares to face India, on Thursday, in their second Test match. - Anisto Alves[/caption]
Dravid said when he was a youngster he admired the West Indies team. “I know growing up really looking up to and following the exploits of the great West Indies players when I was a young kid. I know how respected and loved we are as an Indian team when we come to the Caribbean, being here as a player and as a coach.”
Dravid said India have quality pacers and bowlers and will be ready for any surface.
“I think the team we picked for the last game covered us in all the bases. We had three fast bowlers and we had a couple of high-quality experienced spinners…I think the team we’ve got actually balances us out really well and gives us the opportunity to play on any conditions that we are up against.”
Despite the one-sided match in Dominica, Dravid expects West Indies to fight back in the second Test.
“It is behind us a long time ago. I don’t think we will be complacent. I have enough confidence in this team and I know them now for the last 18 to 20 months. Complacency is not a factor…we understand the fact that the West Indies will be hurting and keen to bounce back.”
 
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