Windies ODI captain Bravo laments loss of key players

Auckland, Dec 25 (IANS/CMC) West Indies One-Day international (ODI) captain Dwayne Bravo is lamenting the absence of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels from the side as it prepares to battle against New Zealand in an ODI series starting on Boxing Day.

The three players have been injured and will be unavailable for the five-match ODI series which opens at Eden Park Thursday.

Gayle is suffering from a hamstring, Pollard a knee injury and Samuels a chronic right-wrist injury.

"Christ Gayle, Samuels and Pollard, three of our better players we can't hide that. We are definitely going to miss them because they are three world class players," said Bravo Tuesday.

"Despite the talent we have I don't think any of us can actually fit in those shoes and definitely for me as a captain I am going to miss their ability and also their experience."

Wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton will remain in New Zealand and replace Samuels in the 15-member squad for the ODI series.

"It's a good opportunity for other players to get the opportunity now and make a name for themselves and try to stamp their authority," said Bravo.

"So, they are definitely going to be missed but I am not going to use it as an excuse if we don't play well... I think if we play to our true potential we are going to do well."

The West Indies are trying to recover from disappointing test tours of India and New Zealand and a crisis meeting planned for early January in the Caribbean is aimed at plotting the way forward.

Test captain Darren Sammy has already said publicly that players' career including his, may be on the line as a result of the embarrassing defeats in the recent test matches.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival in New Zealand Bravo says players must take full responsibility for the current state of West Indies cricket.

"If we are all honest with ourselves it has been very embarrassing to see the state our cricket has come to and we all as players take full responsibility and full blame," said the West Indies skipper.

"We have decided to take it upon our self, we have to do something different, its important. If not those who are in charge do something different. If it means that some changes need to be made so be it."

Newly appointed director of cricket Richard Pybus, Coach Ottis Gibson and cricketer selectors are among those who

will be part of the crucial meeting in January examining the state of the regional team.

"We can't keep playing the same players, the same team the same squad same result. The way our cricket is being shown at the moment is very embarrassing," said Bravo.

"We really need to take a look into ourselves and do something about it... our fans are hurting."

--IANS/CMC

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