West Indies batsman Andre Fletcher has promised that the Men in Maroon will continue to play a positive and aggressive brand of cricket in their upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand, as they are aiming to improve their ICC ranking in the format.
West Indies team is entering the T20I series against Black Caps after losing five of their last six series and Fletcher admitted that being the reigning and 2-time T20 world champions sitting ninth in the ICC's rankings is “kind of off-balance” and they are keen to improve it on the tour.
The tourists arrived in Auckland from Queenstown on Tuesday evening for Friday’s (November 27) series opener at Eden Park and Fletcher said they will be looking at the T20I series as a part of their preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 to be held in India in October-November.
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Fletcher told reporters, “I don't think anything will change. We'll continue being positive and playing our brand of cricket. It's sometimes tough - winning two T20 World Cups and ranking No. 9 in the world is kind of off-balance, but I believe we'll get back up there in the rankings.”
The batsman further added, “It's a part of our preparation for the World Cup. For all teams playing now, that's what they're getting their minds up for. Hopefully, we can start well and see where it takes us. We've practiced a lot, we've trained very hard, we've put in the work, and we strongly believe that we are capable and ready.”
Noteworthy, the first T20I will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on November 27, the second and third T20I will be held at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on November 29 and 30 respectively.
The T20I series will be followed by two-Test series slated at Seddon Park, Hamilton from December 3-7 with the second and final Test will be held at Wellington's Basin Reserve from December 11-15.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
