Jaffer looks ahead to Caribbean summer

Wasim Jaffer, the Indian Test opener who is recuperating after a shin operation, has begun practice and is upbeat ahead of India's forthcoming tour to the West Indies.

"I want to do better in my next series and score lot of runs and help India win," Jaffer, who made his comeback into international cricket with a hundred against England at Nagpur last season, told Press Trust of India. "I was happy to get my first Test hundred at Nagpur against a good England attack. I am also pleased that I spent close to one or one-and-a-half hours at the crease in the other Tests against a quality attack."

Jaffer admitted that the time spent away from international cricket, after he was dropped in 2002, was a tough period to get through. "I became mentally stronger in the intervening period, and at the international level mental toughness is what makes the difference. I lacked consistency earlier. I either used to get out cheaply or make fifties and then get out.

"When I made my debut [in Mumbai, against South Africa in 2000], I was not mature enough as I was new to international cricket and did not understand what was needed to be successful at that level,". He explained that he had now taken pains to tighten up his defensive technique which was the key to succeeding at the international level.

Jaffer toured the West Indies in 2001-02 and averaged 31.20, managing two fifties in the three Tests he was chosen for. "The wickets have slowed down and barring those at Jamaica and Barbados [a venue where India aren't playing a single game this time], the others are a bit two-paced and similar to the ones we have here."