Outplayed Windies admit to losing games in middle overs after loss to India

After being by outplayed by India in Tuesday's ICC Champions Trophy match, West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo said that his team was losing its games in the middle overs, and added that there was a need to identify how the side could get better and more comfortable as a batting unit.

Speaking to media after his team's eight wicket loss to India, Bravo said: "We need to identify how we can become better and comfortable with the batting group, and the middle overs when the slow bowlers are on, and try to pick up the boundaries and build momentum. At the moment, we keep stalling in the middle and that's where we lose the games. We don't lose the games in the first six or in the last six; in the middle overs is where actually we lose it as a batting group."

Bravo was also full of praise for all-rounder Darren Sammy, who scored an unbeaten 50 of 27 balls. He rubbished talk of Sammy needing to prove himself.

"I wouldn't say he [Sammy] had something to prove. He got an opportunity and he did very well. It was the right situation for him and he played his natural game. Sammy is a very competitive person and he comes out there and gives 100 percent at all times whenever he plays for West Indies," Bravo said.

The captain said his team is looking forward to Friday's showdown against the Proteas at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

India have four points from two matches and have qualified for the semi-finals. South Africa have two points (NRR+0.410), West Indies have two points (NRR -0.086), while Pakistan are yet to register a point and have been eliminated.

"Those kinds of games are some of the best games to play, to be honest, where the destiny is in our own hands, and it's important we forget what happened today (Tuesday). We still have hope. If we win the next game, we're on to the next round. If we lose, we go home. So, I think we are aware of that. We just have to...improve on our mistakes we made in this game, and look forward to the next game," Bravo said.

"South Africa has a very good team and a team that's very well respected. We just have to make sure that when we turn up on Friday we are all ready to play, and it's going to be like a final for us, and definitely we have to make sure that we win that game...it's possible...it's very possible. I know I have the right team and the right guys to turn around between now and Friday. Let's see what happens on Friday...it's going to be a very exciting game for the tournament," he added.