GEORGETOWN, Guyana – West Indies captain Chris Gayle is confident that his side can conquer Sri Lanka in the upcoming Digicel Home Series 2008.
Speaking after the team arrived in Guyana on Tuesday night, Gayle said that his players were aware of the task and though they had respect for the visitors, the aim was to win the two Test and three One-Day International series.
Dr. Donald Peters, Chief Executive Officer of the WICB; Chetram Singh, President of the Guyana Cricket Board and a WICB director, as well as senior officials and staff of Digicel – the series sponsors – met the team on arrival in Guyana.
After a brief presentation from the sponsors, Gayle noted: “What we have is a very balanced team and the expectations are very high. We are looking forward to this series in a big way. We believe we can match-up against the Sri Lankans, and come out on top. Sri Lanka has a very good team and has an experienced bowling unit and very good batsmen, but we believe in our ability. We will plan well and go out there and attack,” Gayle added.
The captain said that with several new faces in the team it presented the opportunity for players to showcase their skills on the international stage. He was referring to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, left-handed opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon and left-handed allrounder Ryan Hinds, who is making a return to the team. He last represented the West Indies in 2005.
“This is a big series and a big opportunity for players to stamp their authority. The players have been doing well in the Carib Beer Series and this is a chance to transfer that form into the Test match arena. We support them and welcome them to the team unit.”
At the team meeting on Wednesday morning, team manager Omar Khan and head coach John Dyson both expressed their expectations and outlined that this tour signaled a new era in West Indies cricket now that there is a permanent management team in place. Khan said he was looking forward to working with the squad, with everyone gelling together as a unit.
The first Digicel Test match bowls off on Saturday at the National Stadium, Providence.
The West Indies will have training sessions on Thursday morning at Providence and on Friday morning at the same venue.
SCHEDULE:
March 17-19: Sri Lanka vs Guyana Cricket Board President’s XI – National Stadium, Providence
March 22-26: 1st Digicel Test – National Stadium, Providence, Guyana
March 29-31 Sri Lanka vs West Indies “A” Team – Shaw Park, Tobago
April 3-7: 2nd Digicel Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
April 10: 1st Digicel One-Day International – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
April 12: 2nd Digicel One-Day International – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
April 15: 3rd Digicel One-Day International – Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia (day/night).
