'I took my chance with both hands'

Congratulations on reaching the semi-finals. How did you feel about that win over South Africa?
I feel good. Coming into the tournament we were looking forward to achieving, and our first goal was to reach the semi-finals. Now the other part of our goal is to win the semi-final, and get into the final.

How are the team feeling ahead of the semi-final against Pakistan?
The mood is very good. Morale is very high in the camp. Everyone is pumped up and raring to go to take on Pakistan, although it won't be an easy game. But we will take it on, see how it progresses, and I'm looking forward to it.

Let's rewind to the start of the summer in England. How did you feel after your first Test, when you scored 44 on debut at Lord's?
Coming into the Test series, I knew I would be ready to start in the Test side - but I had to prove myself first. I did enough in the series to prove to the selectors that I am ready and I took the chance with both hands. Making your debut at Lord's, I couldn't ask for a better venue and I couldn't ask for a better achievement.

But your team did not perform in the series as well as you might have hoped. What were Brian Lara's thoughts on the series?
Brian - he was disappointed with our performance. He knew we could have done better, but there are a few points and a few things that you have to work on and sharpen up on. We still back him up and give him the support he needs.

Lara gave you this advice: "When it's your turn to bat, just go out there, be smart, think the game, play simply, don't try to do too many things that you're not accustomed to doing and go out there and play positively." How far have you followed his words?
Right through. They are strong words and any youngster going out to bat doesn't want to have too many things on his mind. The more relaxed he can be going into the game the better for him. Don't panic at any point in time. It's a tremendous thing.

And if Lara steps down as captain, who would you like to see as his replacement?
I don't think Brian will step down, because we all support him. But even if he did, his replacement doesn't matter to me. Anybody and everybody. There are a lot of excellent players in the team.

How do you find Test cricket, and what have you learned in your career so far?
It's what I expected. I knew that level of competition was never going to be easy, and you have to survive. It's not like club cricket, where a lot of mistakes go down. You have to be mentally and physically stronger. The game is longer, and there's more tough quality in the bowling.

Considering that West Indies won't be playing another Test until April 2005, against South Africa, what do you need to do to improve your skills further?
Just keep myself in shape and keep fit for a long time. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

And finally, you will be 21 next month. What would be the ideal way to celebrate?
I think we will be at home. I'm looking forward to going home and seeing my friends and family. It will be a great day for me.