West Indies Eye Strong Finish to 2024 as They Prepare for Bangladesh Test Series

West Indies head coach, Andre Coley, expressed his determination to move past the disappointment of their recent home Test series loss to South Africa and focus on finishing 2024 on a high note. The West Indies are gearing up to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, with the first match scheduled to begin on November 22 in Antigua.

Despite both teams struggling in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings—West Indies currently sit ninth with a point percentage of 18.52, while Bangladesh is eighth with 27.50—Coley emphasized the importance of a strong home performance. The West Indies have had only one notable Test victory this year, drawing a series 1-1 with Australia.

After their loss to Australia, the West Indies endured a tough run with three successive defeats to England. However, the team showed some resilience in the recent South Africa series, managing a draw in the first Test and narrowly losing the second by just 40 runs—a result Coley called a significant disappointment.

"Very important to end the year on a winning note," Coley said ahead of the Bangladesh series. "Coming out of the South Africa series, there was disappointment all around. The first few days of the series were hampered by rain, but we’ve had some good sessions here in Antigua, and the team is in good spirits and everyone is fit and available."

Coley emphasized the importance of winning at home before the team embarks on a challenging tour of Pakistan. The Bangladesh series marks the final two Tests for the West Indies in this edition of the World Test Championship, and Coley believes it’s crucial to build momentum heading into the new year.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was rested for the South Africa series to manage his workload, makes his return for the upcoming series. However, the team will be without key all-rounder Jason Holder, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

"This is an opportunity for everyone," Coley noted. "We have senior players who have been successful against Bangladesh in previous series, both home and away, and we also have new faces who haven’t faced them yet. It’s a chance for both senior and emerging players to showcase their abilities and build on the progress we’ve made over the last year."

The West Indies are determined to end 2024 with a win, with Coley stressing the importance of using this series to solidify their performance and set a positive tone for the next phase of their campaign.