Looking forward to delivering a late Christmas gift

So far, so good on the South African tour. Strong teamwork and confidence in our ability earned us a vital victory over the hosts in Sunday’s shortened Twenty20 International.

I know the game lasted just under 23 overs, but it was a crucial statement by us in the Windies unit. We are here to compete!

We intend not to be taken lightly and I think South Africa have now had a taste of what we are capable of once we fire on all cylinders. We have acquitted ourselves decently in both matches on tour thus far [though narrowly losing the opening encounter against Makhaya Ntini’s Invitation XI] and we will be looking to continue this trend – and to win of course – in the four-day game starting on Wednesday versus South Africa A.

On a personal level, I would like to get some runs and sharpen up behind the stumps ahead of the first Test beginning on Boxing Day. The pitches over here have more bounce than the ones in the Caribbean and the ball comes on a little quicker. They are lovely for batting.

St George’s Park, where Sunday’s game was held, was no exception. It was a good track but luckily, having won the toss, we were able to send in South Africa and put them under pressure immediately after a stunning over by Jerome Taylor. It’s always important to pick up quick wickets in any form of cricket but even more so in the Twenty20 version of the sport. So, to have one of our premier fast bowlers collect three in a single over – while conceding no runs – was extra special.

Excellent bowling was supported by good fielding and two run-outs. Overall, we were happy with our efforts in that regard.

We got underway with our batting and were moving along well before Dale Steyn got into the act. To see another three wickets fall in one over was amazing. He bowled a great spell and it did set us back at 41 for 5 when I walked to the crease. Thankfully, Shiv [Shivnarine Chanderpaul] and I got stuck in and were able to bring it home for the team. I hit two fours in succession to end the match and carry our score to 60. It was a wonderful feeling to finish in style.

I can’t say enough about the role that Shiv played in that victory. He is among the most experienced cricketers on the international stage and he knew exactly what was needed in the situation in which we found ourselves. The one thing we could not allow ourselves to do was to panic. He kept talking to me and tried to maintain most of the strike in the early stage of our partnership.

When I came in to bat, Steyn had one of his three overs remaining. We knew if we could see him off then we would be in a commanding position to win the match, and that’s what we did. I faced four balls of that final Steyn over and I was determined to keep him out. It was a challenge but I stood up to it. He is quick through the air and generates a lot of arm speed. The yorker is clearly his main weapon and he uses it well.

We heard a lot about him before we arrived and now, with the advantage of having played him, we know his capability and what we must do to counter his attacking bowling in the coming weeks. It’s going to be a gripping battle.

As I sign off this week, I would like to wish everyone back in the Caribbean and all Windies fans around the world a Merry Christmas. It may be late in coming, but I trust that, by the end of this series, we in the West Indies team will deliver the best possible gift to you.