By Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica:  West Indies' fast bowler Daren Powell is hoping that he and fellow Jamaican pacer Jerome Taylor can switch into another gear and deliver with the new ball now that the opening matches of their 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup tournament are completed.

Early wickets will set the tone

"I believe for West Indies to come on top me with the new ball up there with Taylor have to pick up early wickets and limit the scoring shots," Powell said after the West Indies defeated Ireland at Sabina Park on Friday.

Powell, who has taken five-wickets in his three world cup matches at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, thus far, said he has been receiving assistance from several of the region's great pacers and is hoping to use these guidelines to help him succeed.

The West Indies dismissed the challenges of Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland to move into the Super Eight undefeated and full of confidence, but Powell believes the challenging stages in the tournament are ahead.

"It will be a challenge (the super-eight) and it is going to call for higher thinking (but) you will have to go out their and rise to the occasion," Powell said in reference to the second stage of the world cup.

Stronger than ever

Powell has been bowling out his allotted overs in the tournament so far and he said his preparations leading up to the games were the biggest impact on this bowling strategy.

"I've been doing a lot of speed and strength work before the tournament and it is helping me right now," said Powell, who finished the match against Ireland with two for 24 from nine-overs.

"It is just for me now to take enough rest and to keep on doing what I'm doing out there and hopefully continue to pick wickets for West Indies team.”

He has established himself with Taylor, at the moment as the regional side's strike bowlers in the competition and he said his achievements has come with experiences and proper guidance.
"It's goes with experience," he said. "The more I play things getting easier and better for me and I am learning also.

"On tours like Australia and Pakistan I talked to likes of Glen McGrath and Waqar Younis and I have Andy Roberts, Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop and Michael Holding, who helped he along so it's just for me to practice what they taught me in the nets," the 28-year-old Jamaican said.

Praise for supporters

Meanwhile, Guyanese left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul praised the Jamaican crowd for coming out and supporting the West Indies throughout the entire first round of the Group D matches in the world cup.

Chanderpaul hit an undefeated 102 from 113 deliveries to pick up the Man-of-the-Match award and steered the hosts to a convincing eight-wicket win over the Irish. However, in the midst of all his glory, the 32-year-old applauded the fans for backing the region's team as they went perfect from three in the opening stages.

"First of all let me say thanks to the fans for their support," Chanderpaul said, when asked to described his own knock.

He added: "I was just there (at the top of the order) just playing my part. I'm not actually the big hitter I'm just there to steer the innings. Chris Gayle is the big hitter.

"But today Chris went and we were chasing a decent total….knowing that we gone through already I could play my game so I was happy with findings today.

"We had a long discussion last night and today we decided we were going to take the run rate up and try and get the two points and we came out and we did that and we are all happy about that," Chanderpaul told reporters after the game.

Lara hails spectators too…

Team captain Brian Lara also echoed Chanderpaul's views praising the Jamaicans for their support.

"It's great support, not just today (yesterday), but throughout the first round of the tournament," Lara said.

"The oragnisers could not picked a better venue for us to start. The people of Jamaica and Caribbean very patriotic and the support is very inspirational for us throughout the ten-days we've been in Jamaica.

The victory accomplished by the Lara-led squad ensured they took two potentially important points through to the next stage of the competition.

West Indies will play defending world champions Australia next Wednesday at Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, while Ireland plays either England or Kenya next Saturday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.