Ashley Nurse keen to prove himself

Ashley Nurse, the West Indies offspinner, is ready for what he has called the biggest match of his life, when India's tour of the Caribbean kicks off with a Twenty20 international in Trinidad on Saturday. Nurse, 22, debuted against Pakistan in April but didn't take a wicket, and he's hoping to prove that he belongs at the international level.

"From the moment I got the call I was switched on," Nurse said. "For me this is a very big game. I see this as the biggest match of my life. I got a taste of what things are like when I played against Pakistan and I'm very eager to play against India.

"I've been told that we will have a full house on Saturday and as a player you always like to showcase your skills in front of a full crowd. For me this is a chance to show what I have and help to win another match for West Indies."

It has been a rapid rise for Nurse, who has not yet played first-class cricket and has played only one List A match, back in 2007. However, he has impressed in the shortest format, with a pair of five-wicket hauls from only 11 Twenty20 matches. A year ago, Nurse was not even part of the Barbados side.

"I'm looking to observe the basics and stick to my line and length when I get a chance to bowl," he said. "I believe I can make a contribution with the bat so I'm taking my batting quite seriously. I've been doing a lot of work trying to hit the ball as straight as possible and keeping my shape.

"I have been working very hard on my overall game and doing a lot of work on my fitness as well. I feel much fitter and stronger than I did when I played against Pakistan. I feel good about myself and I'm ready for Saturday."

West Indies will field a relatively inexperienced side in the match, with Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard unavailable because they did not qualify by playing in the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament. Chris Gayle has not been chosen, and the board wants him to meet with the selectors before he is considered for international duties again.