Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Sunday | March 29, 2009
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Windies seek clincher
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC:

West Indies will be looking to take an unbeatable lead in their five-match one-day international series against England with a victory in the fourth match today at Kensington Oval.

West Indies took a 2-1 lead in the series, following an eight-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis Method in the rain-affected third ODI on Friday at the same venue.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle is well aware that a victory today would condemn England to returning home empty-handed.

"It is for us to continue from where we left off and continue doing on Sunday what we have done so far in this series," he said.

Not over-confident

"We are confident, but not over-confident, and also nervous because it is another important game and we want to win the series to ease a lot of the pressure off of us."

In the third ODI, West Indies routed England for 117 in a match reduced to 44 overs-a-side by rain, and then Gayle blasted five fours and eight sixes in 80 from 43 balls to propel them to victory in just 14.4 overs.

Gayle was satisfied with the way his side executed their game plan, and hopes that they will continue in this vein to seal the deal.

"It was another good team effort," he said. "The way we started was brilliant. The conditions were helpful early on, the ball seamed around, but then it became easier to bat on the pitch."

Consistency shown

The strength of Friday's victory and the consistency shown from the players mean that West Indies are not likely to make any changes, and Ravi Rampaul and Dale Richards will continue to be passengers.

England captain Andrew Strauss has cautioned West Indies not to start celebrating a series victory too early.

"My experience with England is that when we put in these kinds of performances, we always bounce back pretty well," he said.

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