Lewis targets WI spot

Evin Lewis, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel opener, has hopes that his performances in CPL 2014 will help him make a case for his selection in the West Indies side. With West Indies scheduled to play Bangladesh, India and South Africa in the coming months, Lewis has stated he wants to display his talent on the international stage. The left-handed batsman has scored 192 runs in four games with two fifties in CPL 2014 and hit his second successive fifty in the game against St Lucia Zouks.

"I definitely have West Indies aspirations. Always had," Lewis said. "That never changed. Luckily for me, the last couple games, the bowlers have been putting it [the ball] in my scoring spots so that's made it easier for me but I just want to keep going out there and keep doing my best. Yesterday we batted first and today we chased, so when we bat doesn't matter because I just want to go out there and keep giving it my best. Not just for T20s but also hopefully, in Tests."

Lewis was also impressive in the Champions League T20 last year, where he topped scoring charts for with 211 runs at 42.20. Dwayne Bravo, the Red Steel captain, also backed the opener: "Evin came out today and played a big knock. We know he can hit the ball and he's shown that at the [Queen's Park] Oval time and time again."

Lewis' 77 against the Zouks on Sunday and his 129-run opening partnership with Kevin O'Brien set up Red Steel's nine-wicket win and helped them open up a two-point lead at the top of the table. While Bravo commended O'Brien's good run of form, he also praised legspinner Samuel Badree, who took two wickets and held on to catches in the field.

"Kevin continued to show his form with the bat and Badree stepped up not only with the ball but in the field as well taking a couple catches," Bravo said. "We were great and had an all-round day so it's up to us to keep that momentum going."

Darren Sammy, the Zouks captain, bemoaned his team's lack of consistency following their fourth consecutive loss.

"I think the other teams' advantage is that they have several players stepping up. With us, it's just Sohail Tanvir, who's performing well with the bat and the ball," Sammy said. "We're too inconsistent. Hopefully, when we take the field in the next few games at home, we can turn things around."

According to Sammy, Brad Hodge's withdrawal due to injury and Kevin Pietersen's delayed arrival had affected the team but the allrounder was hopeful of a turnaround in form over the next three games, which are scheduled to be held in St Lucia.

"Brad was integral to our plans and it was a blow when he went down. With the team remaining, I don't think it's a matter of talent but it's just getting it to click on the field," Sammy said. "We need to get a win and I think St. Lucia is where we'll turn it around. KP should be in by then so I think we'll be stronger and we'll give the crowd what they want."