KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Darren Sammy said West Indies would be looking to put the brouhaha over Chris Gayle’s omission behind them, and focus on winning the first Test against India, starting today at Sabina Park.
The West Indies captain disclosed that the players had approached the delicate matter of Gayle’s non-selection in a very mature manner, and it had not become too much of a distraction during their preparations for the game.
“The guys have gone about their business – not only for this Test match, but the entire series – in a very professional way for the cause of representing the West Indies team,” said Sammy on the eve of the Test.
“The fighting spirit has been evident in the team throughout the One-day International series, and hopefully, we can take this into the Test.
“[The Gayle issue] is a matter beyond our control, so we the players can only just go out there, and do what we have to do, which is to represent the West Indies team.”
Sammy said Jamaica was still a good place for West Indies to play, hoping that the typically vocal crowd and a helpful pitch would play their part in his side starting the series with a victory.
“I think the history has a lot to do with the way we play when we get to Jamaica,” he said.
“Historically, we have always done well in Jamaica. The crowd is very critical. If you are not doing well, they would let you know.
“The guys have this at the back of their minds; there are constant reminders from the crowd. If you are not in good position, the crowd will be on your back.”
West Indies have won five of their last nine Tests at the ground, but India scored one of four victories by a visiting team five years ago under Rahul Dravid, breaking a 35-year drought for a series victory in the Caribbean.
Sammy expected long-serving head groundsman Charlie Joseph to prepare a pitch more suited for the home team, unlike the surface five years ago, which favoured the Indian spinners, leading then West Indies captain Brian Lara to mockingly wave his bat at the grounds crew.
“It’s been a pitch [over the years] that suits our style…it’s not where the ball would spin past the bat…and better firepower [in the bowling] always has the best chance against the Indians,” said Sammy.
“We expect our batsmen to be more confident. They would have much more time and patience is required. When we chased down 250 here [in the final ODI], we had a game plan. Unlike previous games, the ball wasn’t spinning past the bat. It suited our batsmen, and I expect them to be confident.
He added: “I think our batters prefer their chances against the [Indian] bowlers on this surface. It is not that we underestimate their bowling.
“It was bouncing in the last one-day game, and we managed to restrict them. In Test cricket, you need to have lots of runs, wickets, and patience. Hopefully, we would do it, and come out victorious.”
Sammy also deflected the question that has dogged him since he was handed the captaincy last November about his place in the side.
He said he knew what role he was being asked to perform, and knew that he could do much better with the bat.
“The role, since I started playing Test cricket, was to be the stock bowler for the team,” he said.
“Every time I play cricket, I try to fulfill the role which has been passed on to me by my team, and do it to the best of my ability.
“Throughout my career, I have bowled with the same pace, and more frequently than not, I have managed to do well for West Indies.”
“Playing as an all-rounder, you want to contribute, and I haven’t batted that well. It’s a good time to start putting runs on the board.”
India will again be looking to stamp their authority, and live up to their claim of being the World No.1.
They have fortified their side with the arrival of a number of players, including World Cup and Indian Premier League-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The batting looked more formidable with Rahul Dravid and vice captain V.V.S. Laxman, and they have also boosted their bowling options with Pragyan Ojha.
Dhoni said he expected a lively challenge from West Indies, particularly with the pitch promising to help the home team’s fast bowlers.
“That’s what Test cricket is all about,” he said. “You have to negotiate good bowlers and balls, and as a batsman, you need to push the bowlers to bowl into your zone.
“It will be a good competition for our batsmen. I think the pitch will be different from the first three one-dayers, where the ball turned a lot.”
He said: “This is an ideal opportunity for each and every individual, and that’s how I want everyone to look at it.
“What’s important is to create an atmosphere where they love the challenge, because if there is no challenge, you can’t prove the mettle you have.”
Squads:
WEST INDIES (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons
INDIA (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), V.V.S. Laxman (vice captain), Subramaniam Badrinath, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Abhimanyu Mithun, Abhinav Mukund, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Murali Vijay
UMPIRES: Ian Gould, Daryl Harper
TV UMPIRE: Norman Malcolm
MATCH REFEREE: Jeff Crowe
RESERVE UMPIRE: Gregory Brathwaite
