Sarwan & Gayle Tour Diaries
England are under serious pressure
We are in a pretty good position right now and we need to stay on top of our game and give our all
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Brendan Nash:
Hey everyone,
Our draw for the third Test in Antigua was basically a win for us based on the position we are at: 1-0, so we are quite happy and very enthusiastic going into the fourth Test here in Barbados.
The players were given the opportunity to go home during the break, after Antigua, to be with their families and re-energize, however Chanderpaul and I decided to come to Barbados a bit early and we had a few light training sessions with the Barbadian players on the team. As a whole team we had two days of intense training and we are all feeling confident going into the fourth Test. But though we are confident we aren’t over confident.
Full postIt's cold. But not a bad cold
Hi everyone,
Denesh Ramdin
25-Feb-2013
Hi everyone,
We arrived in New Zealand last week Wednesday and so far it has been good. Everyone has recovered from jet lag and we have had lots of practice sessions leading up to Friday’s games. The guys are all working hard in the gym as well with plenty of stretching.
It’s much colder here in New Zealand, but not a bad cold. We are using our tracksuit tops in practice and we are making sure to move around a lot. Some days it’s hot, and others it’s cold but overall everyone is adapting quite well. The team has been gelling quite well too – everyone is getting on well with each other and looking out for each other in training.
The first practice match is on Friday against Auckland. The coach had a good talk with us and everyone is focused on taking this match very seriously. We are going to focus on areas that we need to get right – batting, fielding and bowling, as well as each player focusing hard on their individual game.
Full postThe batting needs to click
To score runs on a slow wicket is not easy, you have to focus on occupying the crease a lot more
Chris Gayle
25-Feb-2013
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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.
I’m pleased that the batsmen got a few good hits in the Carib Beer Series. Ramnaresh Sarwan just got a hundred, it’s good for me to be back in the middle and Shiv Chanderpaul got a double century as well. Denesh Ramdin also got a hundred so it is a matter of transforming that into the Test arena, being ready and turning up on the day.
This is the first time Test cricket will be played in Providence but we played Sri Lanka at here once before but in a one-day international during the World Cup last year. Looking back at the World Cup game, I thought that for the first 45 minutes the ball did seam around a bit but after that it was definitely a different wicket. It was slow and there was some uneven bounce and that is something you have to take into consideration. It’s a good batting wicket so whoever gets in should definitely capitalize and score runs against Sri Lanka.
Full postSignificant positives for the future
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
Ramnaresh Sarwan
25-Feb-2013
Ramnaresh Sarwan
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.
Full postThere’s still a lot to be gained
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
Denesh Ramdin
25-Feb-2013
Denesh Ramdin
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.
Full post'Ackee, patties and curried goat'
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
Chris Gayle
25-Feb-2013
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.
Full postWindies can still win one-day series
I think West Indies can still win the series despite being 1-0 down, and I'm looking forward to the second edition of the Stanford 20/20 tournament
Ramnaresh Sarwan
25-Feb-2013
Ramnaresh Sarwan
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.
Full postI'm flying home
My tour of South Africa is coming to a premature conclusion because of my thumb and hamstring injuries
Chris Gayle
25-Feb-2013
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.
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