West Indies bowling coach says the team has to be prepared to fight and not roll over when they face New Zealand in the second and final Test at Wellington on Thursday.
The West Indies were defeated by an innings and 134 runs last weekend at Hamilton in a match that ended early on the fourth day.
Speaking on the eve of the match, Estwick said the team had honest and frank discussions but the time had come for the players to back themselves to deliver when it matters.
“The talking has to stop. We have to go out and stay in the contest, stay in the fight,” he said.
“We have got to be ready. The game in Hamilton is gone, we have to look forward to this one in Wellington. We are representing eight million people back in the Caribbean. They want to see us fight and we have to be prepared to fight.
“We can’t just roll over and say New Zealand is a good side and we are not going to fight and we’re going to lay down an let them run all over us. Once we can stay in the contest we have a chance.”
In the first Test, the West Indies replying to New Zealand’s 519 for 7, got off to a solid start at 49 without loss but as has seemingly become the norm, collapsed to 138 for 9. Shane Dowrich was unable to bat because of a reported hand injury.
Following on, the team collapsed again to 89 for 6 before Jermaine Blackwood scored 104 and Alzarri Joseph, a career best 86, in a 155-run seventh wicket partnership that took the West Indies to a more respectable 247.
Estwick said the team had to improve in all areas when play begins in Wellington.
“We have to be prepared to work hard. The bowlers have to be prepared to bowl long spells, a lot of overs, the batsmen have to be prepared to bat for a very long time. This is Test cricket, this is one of the better teams in the world and you have got to be prepared to do those things,” Estwick said.
“If you’re not prepared to do these things then you’re going to play T20 cricket but you have to be prepared to scrap and fight and battle and really represent. Put a price on your wicket, put a price on every ball you bowl, put a price on every ball you field, put a price on every ball you catch.
“There is no other way, there is no hiding place in Test cricket.”