Much hard work to be done

I have to start by saying it was remiss of me not to send congratulations in my last diary to the West Indies Players Association for the wonderful Annual Awards Ceremony in Barbados. I am happy for the president Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine and obviously for winning the One Day player of the year award as well.

As you would be aware we have had five days in camp at Kingston with most of the players, although it was a bit off in terms of the whole team not being here. However you still have to make the best use of the time spent together with the players. Nevertheless we are together now as a full unit. In camp I have been batting in the nets against the spinners just to be on the safe side and to gradually groove myself back into full batting.

I'm really looking forward to our first warm-up against Kenya on March 5 as I haven't played cricket for some time. It will be an opportunity to get some sort of match practice. Additionally in order to get myself ready for the big opening game on the 13th I would have to work very hard during the remaining net sessions because I haven't had much proper practice.

We arrived today in Montego Bay and it's the fastest I've ever cleared immigration which is an excellent early sign for the organizers of the World Cup. I do hope it continues throughout the rest of the tournament.

I am particularly looking forward to the opening ceremony on the 11th of March at the new stadium in Trelawny because it's the first ever World Cup being held in the Caribbean and it would be a memorable moment that I would cherish for the rest of my life. Also I really enjoyed the opening ceremony in my first World Cup in South Africa and I am sure we will put on an even better show.