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Badree leading from the front for WI

Wily leg-spinner has admirably filled the void left by Narine
Last Updated 23 March 2016, 19:09 IST

Ever since ace spinner Sunil Narine pulled out of the West Indies World T20 squad seeking more time to work on his action that was reported during the country’s tour to Sri Lanka last November, journeyman Samuel Badree and deceptive Sulieman Benn were left to share the slow-blowing duties.

While both can’t quite match the mysterious Narine, who still has plenty of batsmen flummoxed, they have certainly shown that they are game for the challenge in the two matches completed so far. The tall left-arm orthodox Benn took 1/23 against England and gave away a meagre 13 runs for no wicket in four miserly overs against Sri Lanka. Leg-spinner Badree, having gone for 34 runs on a belter of a wicket versus England, used a helpful Chinnaswamy track to a nicety, claiming 3/12 to set up Windies’ second win on the trot against Sri Lanka.

“Obviously Sunil’s absence is a big blow to the team, we know how dangerous he is especially in these conditions,” said 35-year-old Badree after sweating it out in a punishing 40 degree celsius afternoon sun at the VCA Stadium here on Wednesday. “We’ve talked about someone having to step up to fill those huge shoes, and I’m happy that thus far in the tournament I was able to do that quite competently. I’m hoping that I can do it in the remaining games.”

Badree would definitely be licking his lips at the prospect of playing at the VCA Stadium, the pitch of which has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. India crushed South Africa by 124 runs inside three days in the third Test last November on a rank turner that was slammed as ‘poor’ by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe. In the opening World T20 game between India and New Zealand, the hosts were shot out for a paltry 79 on another venomous wicket.

“I play cricket on the day. I don’t focus too much on what has happened before. On any given day a batsman can tear you apart while on your day you can get a wicket of the very first ball. Its not too much of what has happened in the past but what is happening on the day. You obviously want to plan and prepare well. Having said that, its all about execution. You can have all the plans in the world but execution is key. 

“It’s all about assessing the conditions. We might turn up here on Friday and it’ll be a completely perfect batting pitch, so you never know. You have to assess on the day. Against South Africa, they’ve got a very powerful batting line-up so it’s important we have something in the tank in the middle overs. We need to pick up wickets, but at the same time keep the run-rate down.” 

In the two matches so far, the Caribbeans have chased down totals. Badree though exuded confidence that his side can defend too. “It’s fair to say that we are strong in our batting department. Luckily captain has been able to win both the tosses. In Nagpur it seems like the pitch is going to turn, so we would want to bat first, set a good total and defend it. At the end of the day, as a team, you have to be prepared for any challenges. Whatever situation you are faced with, you have to do well. Whether we bat first or bowl first, we are focussed on winning the match and send a signal to the other team that we are here to compete and win.” 

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(Published 23 March 2016, 19:09 IST)

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