BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

With everything at stake, West Indies One-Day International (ODI) captain Shai Hope has assured that his troops are physically and mentally prepared for today's series finale against England at Kensington Oval.

The three-match series is tied 1-1 after the West Indies won the first ODI by eight wickets, only for England to mount a superb chase in the second over on Sunday to win by five wickets.

During a pre-match interview at Kensington Oval yesterday, Hope said the regional side understood the magnitude of the game as they seek their second consecutive ODI home series win against their arch-rivals.

“It’s the series decider and the biggest game in the series. Unfortunately we conceded the last game, but it's a great opportunity for us and we understand that.

“We still have a lot to do and we understand that we have to play good cricket to compete against the England team,” Hope told reporters.

He said the mood in the camp was optimistic and the boys were “hungry and ready” to take the field at Mecca.

“We are always mentally ready. I just think we've played really good cricket over the last few years, the last few months more,” Hope said.

“We had ups and downs, but I can definitely see improvement in each phase of the game. I think we need to make sure that we always have a positive attitude no matter what we do in the field, believe in our abilities and understand that we are doing everything we can to make sure we have all the resources we need to go out there and performs for the West Indies.

“But the feeling is always good, the boys are full of energy and ready for action. We understand what is at stake, which is to decide the series, so the final is tomorrow for us,” he added.

Hope, who scored a sensational century in a losing cause in the last ODI, felt the Windies needed to be more consistent with both bat and ball.

He said that although the England ODI team was “very young and very inexperienced”, they were still playing good cricket and the West Indies had to do their best to be victorious.

“To consider ourselves a great team or an elite team, we have to be consistent and string our performances together. It can't always be one or two games in a series. We have to make sure we do it, we have to play good cricket all the time…” Hope asserted.

“We need to be more consistent and disciplined with our skills and ensure we grasp them in the crucial moments of the game.”