'Struggling' Blackwood aims to overturn wretched form in Kingston Test

Despite struggling to open his account in four of his last seven Test innings, West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood has said he remains upbeat about reversing his miserable form when his side will take on India in the second match at the Sabina Park from Saturday.

The 24-year-old aggressive batsman, whose poor run of form started during last year's tour of Australia, was dismissed for nought in both innings of his team's innings and 92-run defeat in the opening Test against India at North Sound, Antigua.

However, Blackwood said he remains optimistic about regaining his form on home soil. "It is always good to be back in Jamaica, and knowing you are going to be playing in front of your home crowd is a good feeling and gives extra confidence. I think I have been a bit too negative, so I think I have to take a different approach to my batting," Blackwood was quoted, as saying by the Jamaican Observer.

"I am a positive person and I always wanted to be good for my country, so hopefully I can get some runs in this game. As long as I apply myself I know I am going to score runs," added the batsman, who scored his maiden Test century against England last year.

The out-of-form batsman also pointed out that he has the backing of the coaching staff and his teammates, insisting that he was eager to repay the faith reposed by his side in the next match.

Meanwhile, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons said his young brigade have the capability to stage a strong comeback in the ongoing four-match Test series against India.

"You don't look for excuses, you look for reasons why you do things wrong and the reason is that we didn't bowl well and we didn't bat well. So we have to do both of them well and we can't ask for anything else," Simmons said.