Sammy upbeat ahead of second ODI

VISAKHAPATNAM, India (CMC): West Indies arrived here yesterday for their second one-day international (ODI) against India, following their heartbreaking loss in the first game in Cuttack.

The Caribbean side went down by one wicket with seven balls to spare on Tuesday in a low-scoring encounter at the Barabati Stadium.

Fresh from the defeat, West Indies, along with India, arrived aboard a chartered flight from Cuttack for tomorrow's game at the ACA-VDCA cricket stadium. Both teams will practise at the venue today.

Media reports said organisers had promised a pitch ideal for batting.

Commendations in order

West Indies captain Darren Sammy on Tuesday remained upbeat about the five-match series despite the defeat, stressing he was impressed with the way his side had fought after posting a below-par total.

"Every time you lose, it is quite disappointing. We just didn't have the last spark to take us past the finish line," Sammy said.

"The opening bowlers did well to give us a start and we fought all the way to the end, but it wasn't enough."

He added: "We could have done things differently, we even bowled 23 extras, but I would like to commend the boys. They fought with a never-say-die spirit and it is going to stick."

West Indies will head to Ahmedabad for the third ODI on Monday, before travelling to Indore next Wednesday for the penultimate game. The series will climax in Chennai on December 11.