By Sherdon Cowan- West Indies assistant coach Floyd Reifer believes their One-Day International (ODI) series victory over Bangladesh is a reflection of the team’s steady improvement and focus on key areas of their game.
The regional team, who hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, ended a ten-year drought against their opponents when they topped the opening contest by five wickets. They followed that up with another handsome seven-wicket win, much to the delight of Reifer and other members of the Darren Sammy-led coaching staff.
They will be aiming to complete a clean sweep of the series with victory in the final encounter on Thursday.
“This series was important for us, as before the series started, we set our goals in terms of where we want to be at the end. We sit at number 10 in the ODI rankings, but when we started in 2023, we were 15 to 17 points behind everybody. By the end of this series, we’ve cut that lead to just two points behind number nine,” Reifer said in a television interview after Tuesday’s second game at Warner Park.
A notable transformation has been in the West Indies’ middle-over batting—an area that has historically been a challenge. Reifer praised the team’s progress and commitment to improving this critical phase of their innings.
“When we first started, our middle-over batting was a challenge. Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to address this, and to see it come to fruition is very rewarding,” Reifer noted.
The results, Reifer said, speak for themselves, as the West Indies is now ranked second globally in middle-over batting, a dramatic turnaround he attributed to a shift in mindset and leadership.
“It’s all about mindset. The captain has been leading the charge with a positive mindset on how we approach those overs. A lot of work went into improving strike rotation, boundary options, and ensuring we put bowlers under pressure consistently,” he declared.
That said, Reifer pointed out that meticulous preparation and a strong work ethic have been pivotal in the team’s resurgence, adding that the players’ dedication to purposeful practice has not only improved their technical skills but also fostered a winning mentality.
“Preparation is key. The guys are preparing better, and we’ve built a culture of intense, purposeful work. Conversations in the dressing room between players and coaches have also helped elevate our game,” Reifer explained.
The emphasis on preparation and focus has been evident in the batting lineup’s performances, with five centuries scored across their last eight ODIs—a testament to the team’s growth.
That aside, Reifer also highlighted the bowling attack’s vital role in the team’s recent success and credited the efforts of bowling coach James Franklyn and team analyst Avinash Persaud for their guidance in aiding bowlers to execute their plans with precision.
“It’s about being as consistent as possible and grouping deliveries in the right areas. We also utilize the short delivery strategically, and the guys have been disciplined in following the plans,” Reifer revealed. (Sportsmax)