I'm looking for us to compete, says West Indies captain
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| Published on Friday, May 11, 2007 |
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TAUNTON, United Kingdom: Newly appointed West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan spoke with the media prior to the first training session at the Somerset County Cricket Club ground on Thursday afternoon. Following are excerpts.
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| West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan. Photo: Digicel/Getty Images |
On the limited preparations before the first Test:
It's a bit of a concern. Since the World Cup we have played games back home. Some of the guys have had club games but leading into the first Test match here you would want some sort of practice because of the conditions are totally different to what we have back home. Nevertheless we are a professional group and we have to adapt to whatever situation is given to us.
On being named captain:
I'm very proud. Obviously it's a great feeling, a great achievement. When you start to play every young mans dream is to captain their country, I have achieved that now so there is a bigger job that lies ahead of us. It's important for this group of young guys to pull together and help West Indies cricket move forward. It's not going to happen overnight, it's a process , it's going to be a long process which we need to concentrate on.
On the mood of the camp:
Everyone seems to be in good spirits. Since we were in Barbados we had a couple of meetings before we actually came here to England and everyone seemed to be in good spirits and they have said that they are looking forward to this series. Obviously we are going to miss Brian (Lara) there is no doubt about that but I think it's a group of young guys who are very excited and they are looking forward to this.
On both teams being under pressure after ordinary World Cup campaigns:
Both teams will come under a bit of pressure. We did not play that well in the World Cup and we've got to be very careful of what we do against England. I think they might be a bit low in confidence as well, they toured Australia recently and they didn't do that well in the Test series so I think it's an opportunity for both teams to revive themselves.
On whether captaincy may cause him to curb his batting style:
I've been guilty of playing rash shots and getting out to wide balls. Probably it's a responsibility I needed and hopefully this would work out.
On the loss of Brian Lara as batsman and captain:
I don't think you can ever fill his shoes, as a batsman or a captain. It's going to be difficult because of what he has achieved but you have to do what you are capable of and enjoy it as much as you can. The team support is going to be very important for me and obviously the support of the staff and the administrators so I am looking forward to that.
On the new disciplinary measures instituted by the WICB for the tour:
In any sport discipline plays a major part. When we played at home there was a bit of speculation about guys being indiscipline, rumours, but there was nothing that was written to the board and I think it was a bit unfortunate because when you are not playing well people tend to point fingers at everything. The board realized that there were a few things that happened on the tour and they want to take West Indies cricket forward and they will do what it takes and what is necessary to make West Indies cricket move forward. I think discipline plays a major part in sport and they think they need to clamp down on that and that's what they did.
On his personal views on disciplinary measures instituted:
I have to support the management team and the board in terms of how we want to move forward. We have to look at that carefully and manage it as the tour goes along.
On whether this series is a developmental series or one which the Windies is aiming to win:
Of course we can win this series. That's what we are here for. What I'm looking for is to compete throughout the series and be positive and put that effort in which we've probably been lacking in the past and if we can do that I'd be very happy. | | | | Reads : 171 | | | |
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