We have to play our 'A' game to beat India: Sammy

Senior West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy said his team would really need to perform out of their skins to beat India in the group league encounter of the ICC Cricket World Cup at WACA on Friday.
"It's another cricket match but India is playing well at the moment. You give each and every opponent the respect that they deserve. We have always had good matches against India and we have to bring out our 'A' game to beat India," Sammy told the media-persons during the West Indies practice session at the Murdoch University Sports Oval, here today.
The West Indies have lost two matches against Ireland and South Africa but Sammy stressed on the need for the seniors in the team to rally around young captain Jason Holder in trying situations.

Asked how it has been like to play under Holder, Sammy replied, "It's been good. We all must support him (Holder). He didn't put himself in that situation (being made the captain). I have also been in his situation before. It's World Cup and we have to support young Jason," said the ever-smiling former Caribbean captain.
"It's been tough coming into the World Cup after the South Africa tour. Jason has shown that he is a strong character and strong characters always come back stronger. It's our duty to support him and help him through the tough time as cricket is a team sport. Every member should come together to perform for the team," he added.

Sammy admitted that there's been lack of consistency as far as West Indies' bowling is concerned.

Asked about the problem areas, he said, "I think it's about being inconsistent. We haven't created enough pressure on the opponents when we bowl. In the games when we get it right, we compete with best in the world. We have to maintain proper line and length and bowl the yorkers at the death. We have to come up with a plan to minimize the damage that can be done at the back-end of the innings."
Sammy was quick to dismiss theories that West Indies' pull-out from the India series will have an impact on Friday's match.

"We have to put that thing behind us. I have said many times, what happened in India should not have happened as it robbed an opportunity from two teams which enjoy playing each other. I don't think that will affect us here as this World Cup match. We will treat it as another WC match and hopefully get points needed to qualify for the knock-out stages," said the affable all-rounder.