SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Opener Brandon King says he has bought into the “exciting ideas” of the new white-ball management team headed by Darren Sammy and believes the outlook for the side is bright.
The 28-year-old struck a run-a-ball 112 as West Indies beat the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series here Sunday.
King said the recent changes in the management unit had resulted in new perspectives in the West Indies approach.
“Change sometimes can be good; it can be bad. I think it depends on how you look at it,” the Jamaican said.
“It’s a fresh start, and they’ve brought some exciting ideas and ways in which we want to play the game, and I’m very much on board with that.
“So it’s looking very positive for the future, and hopefully, we can continue playing in the way we started in this first game.”
Sammy, a two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, was appointed head coach last month, filling the vacant position following Phil Simmons’s resignation last November.
The 39-year-old Sammy was joined by a support staff comprising former West Indies captain Carl Hooper, former West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer and former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin.
“The atmosphere is perfect. We’re building towards something. I think this group has much to offer, even coming from the last series we played in South Africa,” King said.
“We are playing well together, and we gel well, and the camp is very positive.
“We have new staff bringing positive energy toward the game, so I am very excited to be among this group right now.”
King’s hundred came in his 23rd ODI, including a dozen fours and four sixes. His first fifty required 74 balls, but his second fifty was quicker, needing only 33 balls.
His previous best score in ODIs had been an unbeaten 91 against the Netherlands a year ago, and he has now reached three figures; King said he was hoping more such scores followed.
“I’m very relieved. I’m just happy I could get it in a winning cause. I’m excited to push on and hopefully get a few more, but I’m thrilled to have done it,” King said.
“It must be my best [innings] because it’s my first century in the format so I would rate it as the best. I hope to get even better ones, but this is the best for now.”
He continued: “The pitch here is traditionally slow and low, so the bowlers know they must bowl wicket to wicket to make it difficult for the batsmen.
“I think the total (203) we were chasing – the bowlers did a good job, so the chase wasn’t high-pressure. You could bat normally, wait for the bat balls, and keep ticking it over.”
West Indies face UAE in the second ODI on Tuesday.
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