Head coach Daren Sammy feels West Indies have enough "variety" in their pace attack to take 20 wickets in Indian conditions and asked his side to derive inspiration from New Zealand ahead of the upcoming two-Test series. The India-West Indies series begins in Ahmedabad on October 2, followed by the second Test in Delhi from October 10.
"We have found ourselves in a position where our seam attack could operate in any conditions. That six-to-eight-metre length works across the world. But in our fast-bowling department, we've got four different guys who have their own variety," Sammy said while addressing the media.
The West Indies pace attack includes Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales, besides all-rounder Justin Greaves. "You have Shamar Joseph, who's very skiddy, Jayden, who has a strong front leg and can swing the ball both ways, then you have Alzarri Joseph with his height and the bounce he could extract. So, again, we take confidence in that, especially the way they've been bowling over the last year," Sammy said.
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He said that if you can't take 20 wickets in India, you are on the back foot, but they have a bowling line-up that could take 20 wickets. “We are looking to follow the example of New Zealand, who beat India 3-0 late last year, as West Indies aim to end their 42-year wait for a series win in India. The process remains the same. The lines and lengths don't change much. Maybe it's just adjusting whether it's a touch fuller or touch further back into the pitch," said Sammy.
Sammy said he has spent considerable time over the past six weeks with Test captain Roston Chase to discuss plans for the India tour. He said they analysed extensive data to finalise a squad with clearly defined roles.
"From my end, the 10 days leading up to the first Test match in India, we'll be drilling in all these things and planning very well as to how we're going to beat India in India. We're definitely going down there with the mindset to win. We're not just going to go down there and think, 'oh, it's India',” said the West Indies head coach.
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