Sammy salutes Greaves’ winning impact

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has credited the impact of Man of the Series Justin Greaves, both on and off the field, after the regional side sealed a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The Windies dominated the opening Test, winning by an innings and 217 runs, before the second match ended in a high scoring draw on Tuesday to seal the series triumph.

Greaves top scored in West Indies first innings with 180 and according to Sammy, even before the games he also played a big role in setting the correct atmosphere during the team’s practice sessions.

“Justin, just a while ago he spoke to Floyd talking about him having to zone back in. He missed out in the first Test, and you could see he was so determined. 

“I remember during a net session he challenged Shamar (Joseph), Jaden (Seales) and Kemar Roach, and everybody was just watching the live net and he was just giving them talk. I think it’s something that triggered the type of batting performance we were going to have in this Test series,” Sammy revealed. “I said to him a couple of weeks ago, whatever he’s done and that’s not even just cricket, but also his social skills, the way he looks like he’s enjoying the game, keep it up because I’ve seen a change from the last year that I’ve been with him, and it’s working.”

The draw confirmed a first Test series win in eleven attempts by West Indies, who remain eighth in the nine-team championships points table, only ahead of Pakistan.

In the current cycle, West Indies have so far played ten games, winning one, losing seven and securing two draws.

(KH)