Kingstown, St Vincent — After two weeks of intense and focussed preparation, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy backed his young team to deliver against Australia in the upcoming Digicel One-Day International Series.
Sammy spoke to reporters at the official Digicel Series media launch at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground on Wednesday and said the work they put in and the planning that has gone on behind the scenes will translate into success in the middle.
The West Indies arrived in St Vincent earlier this week after a pre-series camp at the Sagicor HPC camp in Barbados. They have had three days of more work in the build up for the three matches slated for Arnos Vale, as international cricket returns to St Vincent for the first time since March, 2010.
"We have to believe we have it in us to win. We will look to hit the ground running and start the series on a winning note. Arnos Vale has been a good venue for us. The last time we played here we won the matches and we enjoy the crowd support from the fans here and the atmosphere at this venue is always superb," Sammy said.
"We are playing against the Australians, and everyone knows they are a good team … a very competitive team. But we are focussing on us and what we have to do. We have a young team but we are a team hungry for success. They are several young players in the squad, who are new to the international stage.
Sammy added: "Johnson Charles is an exciting prospect for us and we also have Sunil Narine, who is a very good spinner, and also Andre Russell, the exciting allrounder, who can do the job that is required," added the 28-year-old who took over the job as captain in November 2010.
"We have some players who are making a return to international cricket like Tino Best, who has been bowling very well, and Dwayne Bravo, who says he is very excited to be back in the maroon shirt. We are team which will be very competitive against the Australians. We will look to play hard cricket and look for wins."
Sammy counted Arnos Vale as one of his favourite places to play. Two years ago, he recorded career-best ODI figures of four wickets for 26 off 10 overs against Zimbabwe at the picturesque venue. Back in 2009, he took five wickets for 70 runs off 30 overs against Bangladesh in a Test match.
West Indies will have another training session at Arnos Vale on Thursday morning. The first Digicel ODI will be on Friday at the same venue. First ball is 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. Jamaica Time).
West Indies Squad for Digicel ODIs in St Vincent
Darren Sammy (Captain)
Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain)
Carlton Baugh
Tino Best
Devendra Bishoo
Darren Bravo
Johnson Charles
Sunil Narine
Kieron Pollard
Kieran Powell
Kemar Roach
Andre Russell
Marlon Samuels
Match schedule for Digicel ODI Series
Friday, 16 March – 1st Digicel ODI at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent
Sunday, 18 March – 2nd Digicel ODI at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent
Tuesday, 20 March – 3rd Digicel ODI at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent
Friday, 23 March – 4th Digicel ODI at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St. Lucia
Sunday, 25 March – 5th Digicel ODI at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St. Lucia