Confidence booming in WI camp: Opener Charles

Wellington, March 20 (IANS) Opening batsman Johnson Charles says there is a growing sense of self-belief in the West Indies dressing room as the regional side trains its sight on the big quarter-final against joint hosts New Zealand.

The weather has been cold and chilly by Caribbean standards, with the temperature dipping to 15 degrees Celsius at points during the week, reports CMC.

However, Johnson on Friday said the Windies were planning to turn the heat up in the Black Caps when they meet in the crucial match on Saturday.

“I believe that the team has a lot of self-belief, and I have no doubt that we could take that World Cup,” Charles said.

Charles, who only joined the squad recently as a replacement for Darren Bravo who returned home with injury, said: “Everyone is working hard and we are playing for each other. There is a lot to play for and we know we can go all the way.

“Originally, I was not part of this World Cup squad, but one thing I always used to say back home is that we always have the ability to take that trophy. And as I came to join the squad it was something that was in the back of my mind.”

Charles made a thrilling half-century in his first match against the United Arab Emirates last Sunday, as the West Indies won by six wickets to sneak into the quarter-finals.

The 26-year-old Charles, who can also keep wicket, was a member of the West Indies team which won the World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka back in October 2012.

He said the ongoing World Cup brought back positive memories of that event.

“I remember from that (T20) tournament, it’s one thing to have belief in yourself, but then it's another thing to have team belief,” he said.

“That was a huge day for us when we won and there are several players here who also won in Sri Lanka. So we know what it means to play hard and we know how to win as well.”