March 23, 2008

The batting needs to click

Posted on 03/23/2008

	'Shot selection is crucial, especially when you are driving' © Getty Images

I have to start this first diary entry for this new home series with something that I have talked regularly about before. What I have always stressed on is that our batting needs to do the job, and we have to get the runs on the board. For the last couple of months the bowlers have been doing a terrific job for us. Jerome Taylor, Daren Powel, Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Bravo have been turning up and working hard on the field.

Hopefully we, the batsmen, can put the runs on the board now and give the bowlers something to work with and as a team we can take it from there. It is not going to be easy, we are up against a top class team in Sri Lanka and they have one of the best attacks in the world. The reason I say one of the best attacks is because you have the likes of Chaminda Vaas and the world record holder for the most Test wickets Muttiah Muralitharan. Those two are the main strike bowlers and we all know how experienced those guys are. We are up against it but we are up to the challenge.

Continue reading "The batting needs to click"

February 1, 2008

Significant positives for the future

Posted on 02/01/2008

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	Marlon Samuels was certainly the ‘find’ of the series for us © Cricinfo Ltd

The West Indies will return to the Caribbean in a few days having lost both the Test and ODI series in South Africa. They lost the Test battle 2-1 and are trailing an unassailable 3-0 in the one-dayers with the final two games this weekend. Prior to all this, the Windies had beaten Zimbabwe 3-1 in a one-day series, with the last match being rained out.

Fans will be disappointed with the outcome in South Africa, particularly as things started so well on this occasion for the team, prevailing in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals and triumphing in the first Test, both in Port Elizabeth. While the emotions that accompany defeat are understandable – and it’s been some time since our fans have had good reason to cheer loudly – I think there are some significant positives for the future.

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January 30, 2008

There’s still a lot to be gained

Posted on 01/30/2008

Denesh Ramdin

	I am pleased with my wicketkeeping but I am disappointed to have made little impression with the bat © AFP

I know fans are likely to say there’s nothing to play for in the remaining two one-day internationals this weekend in South Africa. However, I believe that even though we have already surrendered the series 3-0, there’s a lot to be gained – especially if we can execute our game plan – in the final one-dayers on Friday and Sunday. We have already demonstrated on tour that we have the arsenal to beat South Africa and it would be great if we can do so on at least one more occasion before departing for home next week.

This, I think, would give us in the Windies camp a significant boost in confidence, particularly as we have been hampered by injuries to some of our top players. In addition, it would underline that we are capable of high standards and excelling among the sport’s premier teams once we perform to our optimum potential. I think South Africa has realised that, given our results earlier in the series. Unfortunately though, we have not been consistent on the field – and that’s why we have been outclassed.

Continue reading "There’s still a lot to be gained"

January 28, 2008

'Ackee, patties and curried goat'

Posted on 01/28/2008

It’s been a few days since I returned home to Jamaica from South Africa and, despite the West Indies’ recent defeats to the Proteas, a lot of people have expressed positive feelings to me about our performance in Zimbabwe and in the first couple games in South Africa.

Naturally, like me, they were disappointed that I was unable to play throughout the tour which began very well for us with a 3-1 victory in the one-day series in Zimbabwe and wins in the first Twenty20 and Test match against South Africa.

I really appreciated the fans’ sentiments and well wishes for a full and speedy recovery to allow me to start playing cricket as soon as possible again. Thanks to all who have commented to me, it’s been very encouraging and I’m looking forward to being back on the field in the maroon cap once I’m fit and healthy.

My hamstring and left thumb continue to improve steadily but, as I have stated before, I will not rush my return to competitive cricket. Even though the Windies physio had indicated that I should be able to hold a bat by January 26, I’m giving my thumb another week and then I will test things out.

In the meantime, I’ve been running and working out in the gym. In addition, I’ve been to a couple training sessions with the Jamaica national squad which is now preparing for the Stanford 20/20 tournament after winning their first three matches in the regional four-day competition, the Carib Beer series. Overall, things are looking up and I hope it is sooner rather than later that I will be back in action, with runs flowing from my bat.

After all, the reality is that I was starved of cricket on tour – having suffered the hamstring injury in the second ODI in Zimbabwe and then having my thumb broken by an Andre Nel delivery in the second Test in Cape Town. In total, I played in one-and-a-half one-dayers and two Tests. So, I definitely need to get some cricket under my belt.

It’s also been critical to get back into my fitness routine quickly because of all the great food I’ve been eating since I landed in Kingston. I’ve had almost everything you can think of – ackee and saltfish, patties, curried goat, etc. To top it all off, my mum cooked me my big Christmas dinner which I missed out on in December. I’m still licking my lips. So, you see why I need to keep training!

Of course, I was sorry to see my team-mates lose the one-day series to South Africa yesterday with two games to go. We managed a decent total of 252 for 7 in 50 overs, though we got off to a slow start. Marlon Samuels was again the anchor of our batting with an impressive 98 while wickets tumbled around him. It’s a pity that, for the second time on tour, he missed out on a century at Port Elizabeth; having scored 94 at that venue in the opening Test which we won. There were also good innings from Sewnarine Chattergoon (52) and debutant, Patrick Browne (35).

St. George’s is a decent pitch and it was always going to be a challenge to blast out Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and company on that wicket. The Proteas romped home by seven wickets and we are now 3-0 down in the five-match series. However, we must keep our heads high and the guys have to play for pride in the remaining fixtures. It would still be nice to win them and come home with some positives.

South Africa play hard and will be intent on a five-nil rout. If we can rally our troops, and give of our best in these two last games, we can thwart their ambitions of a whitewash.

January 25, 2008

Windies can still win one-day series

Posted on 01/25/2008

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	If the team can recapture the consistency and focus which they had earlier in the tour, they can be victorious © AFP

West Indies have an opportunity to rebound in the one-day internationals against South Africa with two matches this weekend (today and Sunday) in the five-rubber series. They are currently 1-0 down to the hosts but I believe that, if the team can recapture the consistency and focus which they had earlier in the tour, they can be victorious.

The guys performed creditably in the second Twenty20 International and the first one-dayer last weekend and, with a little luck, they could have won those games. Improved performances with both bat and ball would be the decisive difference. While they will miss Chris Gayle’s inspirational leadership and influence – now that he has returned home due to injury – it’s important that the Windies stick together and support Dwayne [Bravo] in these remaining four matches.

Continue reading "Windies can still win one-day series"

January 23, 2008

Looking to end the tour on a high

Posted on 01/23/2008

Denesh Ramdin

	We had our opportunities in these [recent] games but we couldn’t capitalise on them © Getty Images

Things have not gone our way as we move into the latter stage of our South African tour.

Last Friday, we lost the second Twenty20 international by four wickets and followed that up with a six-wicket defeat to South Africa in Sunday’s one-day international. In both instances, we were in with a chance of winning deep into the matches but, ultimately, we couldn’t come up with the killer blows when necessary. That's what was lacking.

In the Twenty20 in Johannesburg, we scored 131 for 7 in 20 overs to which South Africa replied with 134 for 6 in 19.2 overs. Then in the rain-abbreviated one-dayer in Centurion, we managed 175 all out in 35.5 of our 36 overs, and South Africa romped to victory with 176 for 4 off 34 overs.

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January 21, 2008

I'm flying home

Posted on 01/21/2008

	Chris Gayle broke his thumb in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town © Getty Images

Unfortunately the news today is not good – well, maybe that depends on how you look at it.

My tour of South Africa is coming to a premature conclusion because of my thumb and hamstring injuries. Given the most recent prognosis that I will require at least another two weeks of recovery before I could even consider picking up a bat again – furthermore being declared match fit – I have been granted permission by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to return home to Jamaica to concentrate on getting better.

As a result, I will be leaving Johannesburg as soon as possible – perhaps this evening – and should arrive in Kingston later this week, travelling via London.

It was far from an easy decision. I would love to be out on the field with the guys, fighting for the West Indies. There was some thought that I might be able to play in the ongoing one-day series in South Africa but that is not to be as our physio, C.J. Clarke has said that – based on a recent x-ray of my broken left thumb – I wouldn’t be able to do any batting before January 26 at earliest.

I had already been feeling quite frustrated at just sitting around and having to watch my team-mates battling out in the middle without any contribution from me. This injury update only made me feel worse. I therefore spoke to team management and the WICB chief executive, Dr. Donald Peters, who was here in South Africa, and expressed the view that it would be best for me to head back to the Caribbean immediately and focus on recovering fully. Sitting on the sidelines was really beginning to affect me.

While I’m sorry to leave South Africa on such a sad note, I have spoken with the guys and they understand perfectly. We will be hosting two top teams, Sri Lanka and Australia, in the coming months and I definitely want to be 100 percent fit for those matches. So leaving the tour is the most logical step at this stage.

I have wished Dwayne (Bravo) and all the players the very best for the rest of the South Africa series. I know they will give their all and try to win the series. We played decent cricket in the second Twenty20 last Friday and in the first one-dayer yesterday, but we came up short in both games, losing by four and six wickets respectively.

We just need to continue believing in ourselves and in the knowledge that we have beaten South Africa before and that we can do it again. Our batsmen must get better starts to give us a foundation on which to build. I have to say though that the pitches in these last two games were not the easiest to bat on. Our bowlers have been doing well overall but it’s hard to get ten wickets in a one-dayer sometimes with the fielding restrictions and the guys spread so far apart. I think our problem is in the ‘middle period’ of the match and that’s where South Africa has been able to get away from us. We will need to concentrate on restricting the runs if wickets are hard to get. I truly wish the West Indies well and look forward to watching the remainder of the series on television.

Before I forget, I want to hail the Jamaica national team for their outstanding performances in the Carib Beer Cricket Series so far, winning all three of their matches. I hope they can continue improving and lift the title this year. Great going guys! See you soon!

Finally, I want to thank fans for their support and encouragement throughout the tour on the African continent. As always, it was an honour to represent and captain the West Indies and I’m looking forward to returning to the team once I am fully fit. I trust that will be sooner rather than later.

January 18, 2008

Self-belief can spur us to ODI win

Posted on 01/18/2008

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	I’m getting more and more into the groove with the bat and was happy to score some decent runs against Barbados © The Nation

Though I’m currently out of the West Indies squad, I’ve somewhat had a taste of the kind of tough battle they have experienced lately.

While the Windies plummeted to defeat by an innings and 100 runs in the decisive third Test against South Africa, I suffered a similar fate with the Guyana national team on Monday in the Carib Beer Series. We were beaten by Barbados, by an innings and 57 runs at the Kensington Oval. Just as with the West Indies, we batted first and were dismissed cheaply and then toiled long and hard in the field. Our opponents piled up massive replies, in excess of 500 runs each.

As a result, we and the Windies had our backs against the wall and though – in either case – the teams batted better in the second innings, it was always going to be difficult to avoid defeat. In the same way that losing in Durban sealed the Windies’ fate in the Test series, our defeat has set us back severely in the quest for the regional four-day championship.

Continue reading "Self-belief can spur us to ODI win"

January 16, 2008

Over to the one-dayers

Posted on 01/16/2008

Denesh Ramdin

	'Despite the circumstances, I know we have earned quite a bit of respect over here, both from the South African team and from the fans' © Getty Images

I would like to start this week’s diary by congratulating South Africa for a well deserved 2-1 victory in the Test series against us. That does not mean that I – like all the other Windies players – was not bitterly disappointed to lose (especially after our 1-0 lead in Port Elizabeth). It’s just that I appreciate that they played better cricket and seized the majority of their chances. The manner in which the South Africans executed their game plan and took us out of the decisive match in Durban was an example of the consistency and level of professionalism that is needed to be among the top teams in international cricket.

After we lost the toss and were sent in to bat, it was always going to be a challenge to negotiate the lively pitch at Kingsmead. To make matters worse, South Africa bowled particularly well and we were dismissed very cheaply. Then, the pitch and conditions changed, batting became much easier and the opposition played us out of the deciding game with a massive first-innings score. It was always going to be a tough task to overhaul a deficit of more than 400 runs. As it was, we lost by an innings and 100 runs.

I managed the top score of 30 in our inadequate first innings of 139 and then 25 in the second time. It was again frustrating to get starts but not make a substantial impact.

Continue reading "Over to the one-dayers"

January 14, 2008

Gayle: 'We need to get a jump on the South Africans'

Posted on 01/14/2008

	'I also want to hail Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels (above) for their gutsy batting at various times' © Getty Images

Well, the Test series against South Africa is over and unfortunately we were beaten in the final match in Durban by an innings and 100 runs.

There’s really no point in sulking over our performance. I think by now everyone knows what we did wrong and where our plans fell apart. Suffice to say that when any team is dismissed for 139 quickly on the opening day of a Test – and then faces a first-innings deficit of more than 400 runs – it would take a miracle to escape defeat.

South Africa batted us out of the game and again, in our second turn at the crease, we failed with the bat, though we did better than in the first innings. There’s no excuse and I don’t intend to make any. As I’ve been saying all along, consistency is the key. If we fail to execute our game plan then we won’t win.

Still, as we shift our attention to the five ODIs, I can say that there are a number of positives which I will take from the Test matches. Overall, I thought we put up a good fight and gave South Africa something to think about. Winning in Port Elizabeth and taking a lead in the three Tests really surprised them. We also fought well in Cape Town and kept ourselves in the game until the fourth day when it ended.

If fans are honest they will admit that they didn’t expect us to perform as well as we did in the first two matches. I need to give the guys credit for showing that we can compete against the best in international cricket. While there are clearly improvements still to be made we’ve shown that we can reach the required standard. I also want to hail Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels for their gutsy batting at various times. When our bowlers got the ball in the right spot, they proved a force to be reckoned with as well.

Of course, it was frustrating for me to be restricted to the pavilion for the third Test with a broken thumb and a sore right hamstring. I really wanted to be out on the field with my team-mates. However, I know it’s best for me to recover fully before playing competitive cricket again. Right now, I’m just doing some light jogging and continuing my treatment for the hamstring ailment. I’m not going to take any chances and get re-injured so I won’t be playing unless I’m totally fit and ready to do so.

The team must now focus on the abbreviated form of the game for the next three weeks, with the second of our two Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa to be held on Wednesday at New Wanderers in Johannesburg and five one-dayers thereafter. We need to get a jump on the South Africans and it would be good to set the tone for the series by winning the second Twenty20 as we did the first match back in mid-December.

Buoyed by their Test success, I know South Africa will come at us very hard and we have to be able to keep our spirits and confidence high. Once we do that, and perform well on the field, I believe we can come away victorious.

January 11, 2008

West Indies need to show more fight

Posted on 01/11/2008

	West Indies were bowled out for 139 in their first innings and they will need a much better effort when they bat again © Getty Images

The West Indies players will need to show their mettle if they are to get out of the current dire situation in which they have gotten themselves in, less than two days into the third and final Test against South Africa.

As I write this diary, South Africa are already moving in for the kill in Durban, having built up a lead of more than 250 runs over the Windies, who were dismissed for a meagre 139 just after lunch on the opening day. I was very shocked to see what happened to my team-mates when I woke up yesterday morning.

By the time I tuned in, South Africa were batting and were looking to score, I thought that rain must have fallen and that the match therefore started late. I had no idea that we had batted and done so poorly. It was definitely not the start we needed in any bid to try and force a victory. As it stands now, it will require sterling fight-back if we are even to draw the game.

Continue reading "West Indies need to show more fight"

January 9, 2008

Seeking a historic victorious conclusion

Posted on 01/09/2008

	Daren Ganga and I tried to rotate the strike as much as possible and get runs wherever possible. The South African bowlers were quite accurate in their line and length and it was hard to score © Getty Images

Denesh Ramdin

We start the last of three Test matches against South Africa in a position that very few people expected we would be in at this stage.

We have had some challenges, especially with key players suffering injuries at critical junctures, but we are determined to persevere and seek a historic and victorious conclusion.

None of us is thinking about a draw. We are going out there to win this Test and we will be trying to execute our plans in that vein. We are going to give it our all at Kingsmead.

Over the past few days, we have been back in the nets working hard to correct the things which cost us the second Test in Cape Town. The guys are happy and relaxed and are looking forward to this match. We are confident that if we do things right consistently and support each other on the field – build partnerships, bowl in the right areas and field well – that we will be in a position to pressure South Africa.

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January 7, 2008

I strongly believe we can beat South Africa

Posted on 01/07/2008

Chris Gayle

	Even worse than losing the match was the expected prognosis that my thumb injury will necessitate another layoff of two to three weeks © Getty Images

How quickly things change in a week.

In my last diary, we were basking in the glory of having upset South Africa in the first of the three Test matches. Now, the stakes are even 1-1 with one to go in Durban, starting on Thursday.

Our seven-wicket loss in four days at Newlands in Cape Town was very disappointing, given how well we had battled to victory in Port Elizabeth. Yes, we fought – and at times held our own – in the second encounter but, in the end, our effort fell short. We definitely did not bat as well as we did in the first match and returns of 243 and 262 were just not good enough, though Shivnarine Chanderpaul stood out with unbeaten scores of 65 and 70. We really should have scored at least 350 in our initial outing at the crease.

Continue reading "I strongly believe we can beat South Africa"

January 4, 2008

Windies success has series on knife edge

Posted on 01/04/2008

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	I’m eager to get back in the middle and score some runs after my recent ankle injury © Getty Images

It’s been a truly memorable start to 2008 for West Indian fans all across the world.

Just days ago, the majority of the cricketing world was writing us off against South Africa even before a ball was bowled in the first Test. Now, we’ve done the unthinkable and gone 1-0 ahead in the three-match rubber. It’s confounded the critics and given Windies supporters just the lift they needed to go into the New Year. In addition, we’re competing keenly in the ongoing second Test, though we’ve got some work to do in our second innings, having been led by 78 runs in the first innings.

I was ecstatic with the performance which the guys put in last Saturday in a historic maiden Test triumph on South African soil. It was an unforgettable occasion and I extend my congratulations to Chris [Gayle] and all my team-mates who made us extremely proud.

Continue reading "Windies success has series on knife edge"

January 2, 2008

The thrill of a Test win

Posted on 01/02/2008

Denesh Ramdin

	It was simply awesome to experience winning a Test match for the first time © Getty Images

What a way to end 2007 – with my maiden Test victory!

In all the time I’ve been playing cricket – at junior, senior, regional and international level – I’ve never known such a feeling. It was simply awesome to experience winning a Test match for the first time, and against a team as strong as South Africa, after more than two years in the West Indies side.

In addition, the nature and tone of our success in Port Elizabeth - in that we executed our plans, dominated the match and finished it in four days - made the outcome all the better. It was very special as we had not won a Test match for more than two years and had never won in South Africa.

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December 31, 2007

'The guys rallied around me superbly'

Posted on 12/31/2007

Chris Gayle

	It was also great to break the spell of not beating a team ranked higher than us for more than seven years © AFP

I woke up this morning still grinning from ear to ear. I’m overjoyed, overwhelmed – just really happy – with our victory (in four days, might I add) over South Africa last Saturday in Port Elizabeth. It has been a long time coming and it was sweet – especially being the underdogs.

I must give a tremendous amount of credit to my team-mates. It was a terrific effort from the guys to defeat the No. 2 team in Test cricket – and for the first time on South African soil. I will not single out any player in particular because I believe everyone deserves the same credit in what was a magnificent team performance. Everybody played a part and I’m very proud of how we handled ourselves throughout this Test match. It shows the work that we have been putting in during our nets.

Naturally, our dressing room was abuzz with excitement and celebrations in the aftermath of our 128-run triumph. We definitely enjoyed the moment. For some guys, such as Dwayne Bravo, Runako Morton and Denesh Ramdin, it was the first-ever taste of success in a Test – and they’ve been playing for a while now. It was also great to break the spell of not beating a team ranked higher than us for more than seven years.

Continue reading "'The guys rallied around me superbly'"

December 28, 2007

Consistency has put Windies in command

Posted on 12/28/2007

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	Ramnaresh Sarwan: "Marlon [Samuels] was outstanding. It was the best I have ever seen Marlon bat" © AFP

The watchwords for West Indies over the next day or two will be “consistency” and “complacency” – they need a lot of the first and little or none of the latter.

Without a doubt, West Indies are firmly in the driver’s seat after two days of the first Test against South Africa which began on Boxing Day in Port Elizabeth. It’s hardly a position which most fans – c’mon be honest – expected us to be in but the guys have got there by dint of disciplined batting and bowling and by being patient ... over after over. In other words, they have succeeded by their consistency in applying themselves and doing the right things repeatedly coupled with reining in the urge to play rash shots or to try something unnecessarily extravagant – things that have been our downfall in the past.

Now, sitting pretty – with 408 on the board and with Graeme Smith and company reeling at 122 for 5 at the start the third day –West Indies must guard against one of our most sinister enemies if we are to push home the advantage and press for victory.

We cannot afford an iota of complacency if we are to win this game and snatch a vital 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Continue reading "Consistency has put Windies in command"

December 24, 2007

Wanted for Christmas: some big scores!

Posted on 12/24/2007

Chris Gayle

	Windies batsmen need to occupy the crease longer © AFP

The long, hard journey in South Africa has now truly begun and, as I stressed in my last Tour Diary, we in the West Indies team need to be able to walk the walk – not just talk about it.

Being humbled inside three days by South Africa A was definitely not what we would have wanted ahead of our first of three Test matches, starting on Boxing Day. However, there is no point dwelling on the disappointments and mistakes in what we envisioned would be a four-day practice game for us rather than a ten-wicket loss. The most positive response is to use the data from this wake-up call to ensure there’s no repeat of our performance at Buffalo Park in East London.

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December 21, 2007

Sarwan's early Christmas present

Posted on 12/21/2007

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	Ramnaresh Sarwan: "I’ve been able to bat and run comfortably which is a great sign" © AFP

It’s four days before Christmas and I think I’ve already got one of the best and most timely gifts possible.

My right ankle has clearly responded well to treatment and, after my recent frustrations at being injured and missing the tour to Zimbabwe and the ongoing one to South Africa, I’m slowly but surely getting back in the mix.

For the second straight week, I’ve been able to bat and run comfortably which is a great sign, with just weeks to go before the 2008 regional first-class series begins. I’ve had four training sessions with the Guyana squad and will continue to do so until December 23 when we take a short break for Christmas before resuming on December 28.

Given the heavy rains in recent days, our batting practice has been limited to the indoor concrete strip at the national gymnasium. I’m thrilled with the progress in my batting. During my knocks, my feet have been moving increasingly better and my mind is more at ease with each workout. I’ve also done some sprinting to further test my ankle and there was no problem. Now, I think it’s simply a matter of regaining match fitness and getting as much net practice as possible.

Continue reading "Sarwan's early Christmas present"

December 19, 2007

Looking forward to delivering a late Christmas gift

Posted on 12/19/2007

Denesh Ramdin

	I would like to get some runs and sharpen up behind the stumps ahead of the first Test beginning on Boxing Day © West Indies Cricket Board

So far, so good on the South African tour. Strong teamwork and confidence in our ability earned us a vital victory over the hosts in Sunday’s shortened Twenty20 International.

I know the game lasted just under 23 overs, but it was a crucial statement by us in the Windies unit. We are here to compete!

We intend not to be taken lightly and I think South Africa have now had a taste of what we are capable of once we fire on all cylinders. We have acquitted ourselves decently in both matches on tour thus far [though narrowly losing the opening encounter against Makhaya Ntini’s Invitation XI] and we will be looking to continue this trend – and to win of course – in the four-day game starting on Wednesday versus South Africa A.

Continue reading "Looking forward to delivering a late Christmas gift"

December 17, 2007

There's a long road ahead

Posted on 12/17/2007

Chris Gayle

	It’s not every day that South Africa are reduced to 22 for 7 © Getty Images

What a sensational way to announce our arrival in South Africa!

Sunday’s Twenty20 international triumph over the hosts – in a match shortened even further by rain to 13 overs apiece – was exactly what we in the West Indies touring party needed to kickstart our campaign against the No. 2 ODI team.

It was a thriller at St George’s Park punctuated by some scintillating bowling on both sides of the divide – with triple-wicket overs by our ace, Jerome Taylor, and Dale Steyn, South Africa’s new find, as well as big hitting and sharp fielding and catching. It was fast-food cricket in overdrive and we kept our wits about us to canter home with 19 balls to spare.

Continue reading "There's a long road ahead"

December 14, 2007

Full speed ahead for the Windies - and for me

Posted on 12/14/2007

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	Let’s hope this squad of West Indian players will return home with their own good memories of South Africa © AFP

How wonderful it is to start getting back in the groove!

That’s how I felt on Monday and Tuesday of this week when I had 15-20 minutes of batting practice on both days at National Stadium in Providence in Guyana. I was so excited to get out there and hold a bat in my hands again. It was a significant step in the recovery process from my ankle injury and I enjoyed every second of it.

I focussed primarily on running on my right ankle, to see how it felt under some pressure, and on trying to time the ball properly. Overall, the signs were pretty good. I’m definitely making progress and doing much better. The fact that I can actually run is great and I’m looking forward to intensifying my training over the coming days.

Continue reading "Full speed ahead for the Windies - and for me"

December 13, 2007

Bring on the South Africans – media and all

Posted on 12/13/2007

Denesh Ramdin

	'As Chris Gayle stated frankly in his comments at the airport, we don’t fear South Africa and we will fight all the way in every match' © Getty Images

Lights, cameras and lots of action!

That’s the best way to describe our arrival in South Africa on Monday afternoon as a host of media persons turned out to meet, greet – and of course, interview – us upon our arrival for the second and arguably tougher segment of the ongoing cricket tour.

It was an early taste of what we can expect over the next month-and-a-half as we negotiate our way through three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals versus the powerful South African outfit. A lot of journalists, broadcasters and photographers jostled for positions to talk to players and to get pictures of us. I have to admit it could be pretty intimidating if you’ve never been in such a situation but I am used to it by now and not at all nervous about such frenzies.

You do need to be prepared though for these experiences which are a part of the international cricket landscape. When the West Indies former media liaison, Imran Khan, was with the team, I took the opportunity on various off days to do interview simulations and other media-related exercises with him so that I would be comfortable whenever I speak to media and never be caught off-guard or flustered. It’s really helped and I’m sure the practice I’ve had will again be useful here in South Africa.

We are well aware that the media will be monitoring us closely and waiting eagerly to see how we handle the highly-ranked South Africans. Our intention is to give them lots to talk about. Nobody in the West Iindies team is under any illusions that the next few weeks will be a very stern test for us but, as skipper Chris Gayle stated frankly in his comments at the airport, we don’t fear South Africa and we will fight all the way in every match. We have come here to win. There’s been much speculation about us being badly beaten and being out of our depth but, at the end of the day, cricket is played out on the field.

Friday’s day-night game against the Makhaya Ntini Invitation XI will be a priceless opportunity to make a definitive and serious opening statement to the South Africans. It’s an important match and we would like to send a message that we’re here for business and to give them a run for their money. It will also give some of our players a chance to press their claim for selection when the series proper starts. I will be among those seeking to do so – both behind the stumps and if and when I get to bat.

Right now, I’m trying to get acclimatised to the weather – it rained overnight – and to the pitches here which are supposed to have more bounce than those in Zimbabwe. We had a light workout yesterday (stretching and some football etc.) with new coach John Dyson. The players have not had any one-on-one interaction with him yet but I expect we will get to know him over the coming days and weeks. I’m looking forward to learning whatever I can from him and executing that knowledge in match situations.

I left Zimbabwe feeling pretty confident and pleased with how things went there and will be aiming to build on that in South Africa. Winning the one-day series 3-1 was good for us and team morale, though we were a little disappointed that the final game was washed out. Overall, the guys are happy, getting along really well and up for the challenge ahead. We know sticking together and helping each other will be critical for us to beat South Africa and we have a vibrant team spirit going.

We can’t wait to get out on the field and show what we’re made of – and we expect the media to be watching.

December 10, 2007

'Zimbabwe result the right tonic for South Africa series'

Posted on 12/10/2007

	Runako Morton enjoyed a profitable tour of Zimbabwe © Getty Images

Chris Gayle

I’m really pleased at the moment. We’ve just won the one-day series in Zimbabwe; team spirit and camaraderie is very high and my hamstring is on the mend.

It’s all looking quite good for us as we move on to South Africa today for the tougher half of our two-month tour. I look forward to us benefiting from the momentum and confidence which the guys have gained with our 3-1 series victory against Zimbabwe as we prepare to take on the highly-touted South Africans. It’s a major battle and we are up for the challenge but we know it will not be easy and the players are working hard to ensure we go out there in the best shape, form and frame of mind.

Our first match will be a day/night Twenty20 on Sunday at Port Elizabeth and I expect it to be a cracker with power hitters on both sides. I’m only sorry that – as I’m still recuperating from pulling my right hamstring in the second one-dayer in Zimbabwe – I will be on the sidelines but I’m sure the guys are going to give a great account of themselves and push South Africa all the way. We would love to have a reverse of the result of the opening match of the ICC Twenty20 World Championship last September in South Africa when we lost to the hosts in a high-scoring affair.

The Twenty20 game will be followed by three Tests, a second Twenty20 encounter and finally five one-dayers before we return home in early February. There’s a long road ahead but we mean business and we are going to give our best for the West Indies and our devoted fans. I hope that the latter are as upbeat as we are with our success over Zimbabwe, though we lost the first game and the rain washed out the fifth and final match yesterday.

We beat the home side three times straight and, on each occasion, fairly easily. It’s a tremendous feeling to win away from the Caribbean, and watching how the guys went about their task truly impressed me. It was a real team effort throughout, with everyone chipping in. I have to give stand-in captain, Dwayne Bravo, a lot of credit and commend his handling of the unit in his first outing in charge. He never panicked or became frustrated. I hope he learns from this and gets more experience. He is definitely a future prospect for the captaincy of the West Indies.

I also want to highlight the contributions of a number of players. Runako Morton was outstanding with the bat with scores of 54, 79, 38 and another 79 in the four ODIs which were played. This is the kind of consistency we need from batsmen and I hope he can maintain it. Shivnarine Chanderpaul also got a century in the first game and is looking good and we will need his knowledge and experience in South Africa. Marlon Samuels got some runs as well and hopefully that’s a sign of things to come. In the bowling, Jerome Taylor stood out with two Man-of-the-Match performances in the third and fourth One-Dayers and the overall Man-of-the-Series accolade with 11 wickets. I know he will be looking to improve from hereon and the Windies will be depending on him. Ravi Rampaul, Darren Powell and Bravo also served us well as did Rawl Lewis whose leg-spin played a big part.

Some of the guys didn’t get to play in Zimbabwe but I hope they keep their spirits up and are ready whenever the time comes. There’s a lot of cricket left on this tour and we must continue working hard and always remember that nothing worthwhile comes easy. Team unity is really strong at the moment; everyone is helping each other out and enjoying each other’s company. That’s a key factor in team sports and we want to keep those vibes going in our camp.

Quickly, there are two more things which I’d like to mention. The first is that my right hamstring is getting better and better every day but there’s still no set date for me to resume training or playing. I’m walking much more freely now and I’ve started doing some stretches to test my hamstring. Team physio, Jacqui King-Mowatt, is treating me and monitoring the situation.

Finally, I wish to thank the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) and all those who were involved in hosting the West Indies while we were in Zimbabwe. We were well accommodated and looked after and the hospitality was fabulous. The team sincerely appreciated all the effort which went into ensuring that we were comfortable and made to feel at home in Zimbabwe.

Thanks one and all.

December 7, 2007

We're showing Zimbabwe what we're made of

Posted on 12/07/2007

Ramnaresh Sarwan

	Words can't describe how well Shiv Chanderpaul has been playing © Getty Images

Hopefully by the end of Friday, the West Indies will have clinched the one-day international series against Zimbabwe with a victory at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo.

If they are able to do this it will give us a decisive 3-1 lead in the five matches with just one remaining on Sunday. It would be fantastic if the guys can go into that last game knowing that the main goal has already been achieved, though we would still obviously want to win that as well and leave Zimbabwe with an overall 4-1 triumph.

I’ve been following the Windies’ progress online as the matches are not being televised and, like all West Indians, I was disappointed with the result in the opening one-dayer in Harare.

However, I have to give Chris, Dwayne and the entire team full credit for the manner in which they rose to the challenge, winning the next two fixtures quite comfortably. It was great to see the team effort that went into both the second and third one-dayers, both in batting and bowling. Runako is playing well and Shiv – well, I can’t find the words to describe him – he has just been in outstanding form for the past year. It’s important that, as a senior member of the squad, he continues in this rich vein of scoring and that he gets support from other batsmen.

I want to congratulate Bravo on how he has handled the team thus far and I hope he can really flourish in the role of stand-in captain and that the players will continue to respond to his leadership. On Wednesday, I got a chance to speak to Chris and to find out about his injury. I want to wish him well in his recovery. He’s a major player in the Windies set-up – both as a batsman and captain – and I hope we will see him back on the field sooner rather than later.

As for me, my ankle is getting better and stronger each day. I’m having regular therapy and continue my jogging exercises. Next week should be a critical turning point for me as I’m looking forward to picking up a bat and having a knock for the first time since I was injured in mid-October. It has been raining a lot in Guyana so I plan to use the facilities at the National Gymnasium, which has a concrete surface, to get a hit. That should give me a good indicator of where I am on the road to resuming first-class cricket.

Right now, I’m still targeting the upcoming regional Carib Beer Cricket Series, starting next month, for my return to competitive cricket. It’s been a while and I’m itching to represent Guyana and, of course, the West Indies, again as soon as possible.

December 4, 2007

That's more like it

Posted on 12/04/2007

	'I will not be playing tomorrow and I will be undergoing an extensive assessment' © Getty Images

Yesterday was more like it from us in the Windies team.

We played to our true ability and it showed not only in the margin of victory over Zimbabwe in the second one-day match, by 110 runs, but also in the clinical way in which we dismissed them, after posting 286 for 9.

To get them out for just 176 in 44.3 overs was great and has certainly helped to put our 30-run loss in the first one-dayer last Friday firmly behind us. We were simply outclassed on that occasion – no excuses – but yesterday we rebounded strongly and are now in a position to capitalise on this convincing performance.

It would be fantastic for us to go 2-1 up in third one-dayer tomorrow in Harare before moving on to Bulawayo for the final two games in the five-match series.

The most heartening and positive aspect of how we played yesterday was the fact that it was a real team effort, with everyone contributing in some way. In the first match, Shiv got a hundred and Morton got a fifty but nobody else really got anything and we lost.

It was nice to see almost everyone among the runs yesterday. Morton led the way and I got some before I unfortunately went off injured and then Marlon and Rampaul had good knocks. All the bowlers got among the wickets as well.

If we can take that form and confidence into tomorrow I think things will go well for us and we should come out on top. The mood in the dressing room after the match was very spirited. Everyone was upbeat. We wanted this badly after the disappointment of last Friday and now we will carry on from here. We still cannot take Zimbabwe for granted and we know we have lots of work to do and we’re committed to giving our best always.

I know all the fans will be eager to hear about the hamstring injury which forced me to retire hurt and the extent of it. All I can say so far is that I will not be playing tomorrow and I will be undergoing an extensive assessment today after which I’ll know more about my prognosis.

It occurred out of the blue as I was going for a quick single with Morton. I knew immediately that I pulled my right hamstring and I indicated that and went off to start treating it one time. I don’t know how long it will take to heal but I know it has to be treated properly and I can’t rush it.

It was great to get some runs [58 from 78 balls] and I was feeling good out in the middle. We have a long tour ahead and hopefully I can get back out there with the guys soon – fighting fit to take on the opposition.

December 3, 2007

West Indies can do well in Zimbabwe

Posted on 12/03/2007