Davis calls for positive approach in 3rd Test

Pakistan won the First Test by eight wickets at Sabina Park in Jamaica while the West Indies stormed back last week with a 106- run trouncing at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Asked about his expectations for the Third Test, Davis, in an interview on Tuesday, said, “I’m looking to see a fighting spirit, (and) an approach which shows that (the) team (are) confident that they could win the Test match and the series. I want to see the body language carrying that hope.” There were numerous criticisms over the pitch used during the Second Test but Davis stated, “the pitch will always have a part to play in a Test match but, the thing is that, the West Indians played well on the conditions that were presented to them.

“I never criticise any pitch in a Test match or a First Class match,” he continued. “Whatever pitch is played there, you have to have the skills and the players to approach that in the right manner, and to play properly on those pitches. So that pitch was helping the bowlers quite a lot and it so happened that our batsmen stood up in the second innings and put on a very good score.

By doing that, they gave the bowlers something to bowl at and, of course, the wicket was deteriorating as well.” He also expressed disappointment in both WI coach Stuart Law and captain Jason Holder over their post-game comments about the pitch.

“I find when you’re on a winning team, you shouldn’t be criticising the pitch. Leave that for the losers to complain about.” Asked what have stood out to him thus far in this Test series, Davis replied, “the West Indies’ batting in the second innings of the just-concluded Test match. I was very happy with the way they approached the Test match. They stood up and batted well.

“What stood out to me was the fight they showed in that Test match on a wicket that was tough to bat on.

I like to see somebody fight (and not) giving up because the conditions are tough. I was happy with the way they batted in that second innings and the way (they) bowled in the (Pakistan’s) second innings, especially Shannon Gabriel. I was happy with that.”