Looking forward to some Twenty20 action

Chris Gayle

The Test series has now come to an end. One-day and Twenty20 cricket starts on Thursday with a warm-up game against England Lions.

Even though we lost the Test series there were a few positives which we can look at and take into the ODI series.

The batting of Shivnarine Chanderpaul is one such thing. I must congratulate him for winning the player-of-the-series award for our side. He was easily the most consistent batsman for us throughout the series.

As a senior batsman he led from the front and I admire the way he played this series. Hopefully he can continue in the same way in the one-dayers and make the best use of his form.

All the bowlers really put up a fight and a difficult task lies ahead for them. Of course another positive thing to come out of the Test series was Darren Sammy's debut performance at Old Trafford where he picked up seven wickets. Even though he got injured in the game and missed the final Test he still showed good signs for the future.

We have a lot of work to do in the Test arena but we are still looking forward to playing Test cricket in the future.

Right now we turn our focus to one-day and Twenty20 cricket. I have been appointed captain and it means more responsibility now rests on my shoulders. I am not worried about that though because I know I have the full support of the guys.

For the game tomorrow here in Worcester I think it is disappointing that we are struggling to find 11 players to turn out for West Indies because the three players who have been added to the squad are not here as yet.

First and foremost I am very disappointed with the West Indian cricket board (WICB) for not having the guys here in England already and ready to play. Some of our players from the Test series are carrying some niggles and we had to call up some West Indian players who are playing in the English leagues to come in as cover for the warm-up game.

As the captain I have to say that this is disappointing and it is not at all a good start. I also have to mention that I was hurt and disappointed that after I was nominated as captain by the selectors, I did not initially get the support of the board.

This led to the situation where I could not give my input in selecting the team. However I have accepted the job and I have to move on with it; we must move forward together.

Things like these (late arrival of the ODI players) won't make us a better team and won’t make West Indies cricket move forward.

The board is always talking about players needing to change but we, the players, need changes from the board as well. We can't be out in the wilderness all the time because we are the ones who are getting all the blame.

These are some of the things that we as players have to go through. The WICB says they want the best out of players but we also need the best out of the board.

Having said all of these things, I spoke to Ramnaresh Sarwan and he sends his best wishes for me and the team. I know he is recovering well and he will be back as soon as possible.

I won't do too much more talking. I am a guy who is just looking for more action than talk right now because that is how I see it.