WI skipper Reifer calls for improvement by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	OJ Phillips, DE Bernard, KAJ Roach, FL Reifer
Event:	Bangladesh in West Indies 2009

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DateLine: 14th July 2009

 

West Indies captain in crisis Floyd Reifer admitted preparations were not ideal before the first Test against Bangladesh which the tourists won by 95 runs in Kingston.

 

A dispute on contracts between the West Indies Cricket Board and the players meant the hosts were forced to send out a second-string side, with seven players in it making their Test debuts.

 

"It was a rush. We've been practising, but it was a long game."

 

The inexperience showed as a number of batsmen failed after getting starts and a first-innings lead also was not enough to seal victory.

 

"We are disappointed, we got starts in the first innings but didn't go on to get a big score," Reifer said at the post-match presentation.

 

"The guys fought well, (David) Bernard especially and Omar Phillips. We'll put up a better performance in the next game."

 

Reifer though was impressed by paceman Kemar Roach, who took six wickets on debut.

 

"The first time I saw Kemar Roach, I knew he would play for West Indies," said Reifer. "He bowled especially well with the new ball. We are hoping for some more grass on the wicket in the next Test, and more bounce hopefully. We have to get there and fight hard."