Windies eager to shrug off Aussie whitewash

St George’s (Grenada), Feb 22 (IANS/CMC) Captain Dwayne Bravo says the West Indies will be seeking to rebound from a white wash in Australia when their new series against Zimbabwe bowls off in St. George’s Friday.

The West Indies will try to reverse a losing trend when they play Zimbabwe in the first of three One Day Internationals (ODI) at the national stadium following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Aussies earlier this month.

Bravo, skippering the side in place of Darren Sammy who has been rested for the series, says the Caribbean side is hungry for success.

“It’s a new series. We are playing at home. It’s a great opportunity for us to redeem ourselves coming up against an opposition hungry for success,” Bravo told a news conference here Thursday.

“Also, both teams are similar and I think it’s going to be an exciting series. It’s good to be playing at home again in front of our fans. It’s the first time we have the opportunity to play in the Caribbean for the first time in the year.”

A large crowded is expected at the national stadium on Friday to welcome the return of international cricket to the island after about four years.

Also, Zimbabwe last toured the Caribbean in 2010 when they played T20s and ODIs.

“We just want to do our part. Be consistent. Play well and ensure we come out on top. We have to give respect to the Zimbabwe team. They are a good team,” said Bravo.

“The last time they came here they were actually leading the series at one point in time and we have to remember its cricket and they are an international side. They have god players in their setup and we have to respect that.”

Zimbabwe play three ODIs at the Grenada National Stadium Friday- the other two on Sunday and Tuesday- two T20s at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and two Test matches at Kensington Oval, Barbados and Windsor Park, Dominica.

Meantime, the West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel has called up Jonathan Carter, the left-handed middle-order batsman, as cover for all-rounder Kieron Pollard.

The 25-year-old Carter, who is also a lively seam bowler and wicket-keeper, is yet to play at the international level.

He has been a member of the West Indies A Team for the last two seasons.

Pollard has experienced travel difficulties in reaching Grenada ahead of the start of the three-match One-Day series.