ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – Assistant coach Andre Coley has urged a disciplined effort from West Indies bowlers on Thursday’s second day in an attempt to prevent Pakistan piling up a huge first innings score in their first innings of the decisive third Test.The Caribbean side toiled without much success on a rain-hit day at Windsor Park as Pakistan, sent in on a slowish pitch, battled their way to on 169 for two at the close.
“I think we got almost 70 overs in, two wickets down … I think we probably ideally would have wanted to have them four wickets down but we’ll come back tomorrow [and work hard],” Coley told reporters.
“We’ve seen it in two previous games where they have been very well positioned and then pretty much [collapsed] so we just need to be disciplined in our approach.”
He added: “We need to follow our processes and as the day goes on we’ll be able to assess and reassess … but the key to tomorrow is that we remain disciplined and bowl in the areas that we know we need to.”
Prolific opener Azhar Ali was in sight of another hundred on 85 not out and was partnered by the outstanding Younis Khan on 10.
Azhar was joined by the 22-year-old rookie Babar Azam who chipped in with 55.
Rain further frustrated West Indies’ progress in the post-lunch session was only two overs were possible, and Coley commended the bowlers for staying focused in spite of the interruptions. “We’re happy we were able to get on the park and play. We’ve been here before and we figured it was going to be one of those days [going] on and off so we’re happy were actually able to get the amount of cricket in that we did get,” the Jamaican explained.
“Tomorrow (today) gives is another opportunity to actually be better than we were today (yesterday) but I just want to give the bowlers a lot of credit. They stuck to it. It’s not easy to be on and off the field, focus, re-focus and they stuck to their tasks so very well done by our bowlers.”
