“Securing an away win is no small feat, so I’m really thrilled with how we rebounded after our experience at Lord’s,” Cummins remarked following the Grenada Test. “It’s been a fantastic couple of weeks for us. With the pink ball coming up next week, it’s great to lock in the series beforehand. Every match presents unique challenges. This is a dream start for us, winning both matches in the cycle and showcasing some excellent cricket.”

Cummins also took a moment to commend his team’s seasoned players, particularly highlighting Steve Smith for his pivotal half-century that rescued the team during a challenging second innings when they found themselves at 28/3, leading by only 61 runs. “Experience plays a huge role; we talked about having someone like Steve Smith back in the lineup,” Cummins said. “Even if he didn’t play in Grenada, his ability to navigate tough situations is invaluable. Finding ways to score, especially in challenging scenarios, is something that comes with experience.”

“With experience, you encounter similar challenges, fostering a calmness that helps in problem-solving. As a captain, it’s incredibly reassuring to know I have reliable players around me.”

The 32-year-old also expressed his support for the less experienced opener, Sam Konstas, who has struggled with just 33 runs in four innings so far. “Every innings can feel monumental, but I believe the stats show that even the best batsmen don’t consistently perform at their peak,” Cummins noted. “It’s more common to face challenges than to succeed.”

“As long as you’re a quick learner and putting yourself in the best position to succeed, keep focusing on that and assess your performance after a series rather than judging each individual innings.”

Meanwhile, former West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has also faced criticism during the series. Despite marking his 100th Test, his recent performances have been underwhelming, scoring 4, 4, 0, and 7. Head coach Daren Sammy is contemplating his options for the upcoming match. “He hasn’t looked sharp this series, and in a team seeking strong performances, we’re nearing a point where we might consider giving someone else a shot,” Sammy stated. “We’ll have a thorough discussion involving myself, the selection team, and the captain regarding this matter.”

Sammy acknowledged that to nurture better Test match hitters in Caribbean cricket, changes to the playing surfaces are essential. “It’s challenging to develop the quality of batsmen we need to compete at the highest level,” he stated. “The pitches we play on make it difficult to build confidence and technical skills.”

“Considering the averages, we hardly have players averaging above 40 in first-class cricket. Such pitches hinder the development of technically sound players, as they foster uncertainty. Ideally, we want our players to excel because of the conditions, not in spite of them. This is a critical area that I, the director of cricket, and the franchise system are closely examining. We’re working to improve the quality of wickets to help our batsmen trust their techniques, while also addressing technical shortcomings that persist from the Under-19 level to the national team.”