West Indies' failure to win matches in final over due to 'inexperience': Holder

Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Nov 24 (IANS) West Indies cricket captain Jason Holder has conceded that "inexperience" has led to their failure to win the last two matches of the current tri-nation series in the final over of the run chase.

Holder was speaking to reporters after the West Indies lost to Sri Lanka by one run in a nail biting fifth game at Queen's Club here on Wednesday, reports CMC.

Chasing a stiff target of 331 runs, the West Indies managed 329/9 riding on Evin Lewis' 148.

The Caribbean side panicked in a nerve-racking death over to concede the match on the final ball of the innings after a similarly tense encounter against Zimbabwe which ended in a tie on Saturday.

Lewis, playing in just his fourth One-Day International (ODI), hit his maiden century to leave the West Indies well positioned at 177 for three.

He dominated two half-century partnerships that powered the West Indies' run chase.

"I think it's inexperience. These are obviously situations that we're not accustomed to being in. We're still a relatively young side," said Holder.

"Everybody's trying to make their mark. And I think it boils down to inexperience, and having that know-how at the end to get us across the line."

"We had set up the game nicely, and Evin Lewis played an exceptional knock to put us in the situation that we were in," added Holder.

"He's one of those guys that like the ball coming on, so we just felt that with 330 on the board we needed to get off well in the Powerplay and make use of that first up."

The West Indies must beat Zimbabwe on Friday if they are to reach the final.

Opening fast bowler Shannon Gabriel may be forced to miss the game after bowling just five overs because of discomfort in his hamstring.

"We're managing some niggles, and Shannon wasn't able to finish his overs today, so we're waiting to see if he's good to go for the next game," Holder said.

"We'll see in the next few days."

--IANS

sam/bg