FAISALABAD, 7 December 2006 — West Indies paceman Ian Bradshaw believes the five-match one-day series against Pakistan is a key part of the team’s preparations for next year’s World Cup being held in the Caribbean.
Over the last two years, the left-arm pacer has spearheaded the one-day attack with 72 wickets in 53 games and Bradshaw said the West Indies were looking to build momentum in the build up to the March-April tournament.
“I think that we’re in the process of building toward the World Cup, we’ve made significant strides in the last twelve months,” Bradshaw told reporters on the eve of today’s second match of the series. “This series is going to be critical in our continued quest to become one of the top teams in the world.” The first match in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to torrential rains. The 32-year-old added that losing key players Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo for the series was a setback but the side was trying to remain positive.
“Despite the loss of the players, it’s important that we can overcome Pakistan because they are one of the top one-day teams in the world and difficult to beat at home,” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw has picked up 23 wickets in 14 matches since May to help the West Indies to a 4-1 home series win over India before reaching the finals of the DLF Cup in Malaysia and the Champions Trophy. He said becoming accustomed to overseas conditions was a key factor for any team to succeed.
“To be able to adapt as quickly as a possible to foreign conditions is the test of any professional sportsman, who must be able to perform in unfamiliar territory,” Bradshaw added.
“A victory in Pakistan would go a long way to enhancing our credibility.”
