Sammy keen to restore West Indies pride

Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, has said his team is keen on restoring its pride during the tour of Sri Lanka where it has arrived for a full series. Sammy was appointed captain last month after Chris Gayle, the former captain, turned down a central contract and the West Indies Cricket Board reacted by making significant changes to the team's leadership; Brendan Nash was named vice-captain in place of Dwayne Bravo, who, too, did not agree to a new WICB deal. Both Gayle and Bravo, however, have been retained in the squad for the Test series.

"We want to win, to play well and bring the passion and pride back to the West Indies," Sammy told reporters upon arrival in Colombo. "We are a little bit inexperienced, young, but we have put in a good preparation work ahead of our coming here. I am looking forward to the practice game.

"For us in the Caribbean cricket is more than just a game. All the players who are here are committed and in a way it is the legacy that West Indies cricket holds. We are going to bring back the passion and the pride and also perform for us to take the West Indies team up the ladder."

When asked if he was surprised to be appointed captain, Sammy said: "I wouldn't say I was surprised. All my life I've been dreaming to be a West Indies cricketer. All I want to do was play and represent the West Indies, so being named captain is more of an honour to me."

The squad picked for the Sri Lanka series features several players who didn't play against South Africa at home earlier in the year, West Indies' most recent Test assignment. Adrian Barath, the opener who burst onto the international scene with a century on debut against Australia in Brisbane last year, returns after hurting his knee in April.

Carlton Baugh, who has not played a Test since 2004, will compete with Devon Thomas for the role behind the stumps, while there was also a maiden call-up for the Jamaica allrounder Andre Russell. The opener Devon Smith, who played his most recent Test in May 2009, is also back after averaging 61.50 while leading West Indies A in the first-class fixtures in England this year.

"The selectors have come up with the best team to represent the Caribbean side," Sammy said. "I am very confident in all the players I have here, likewise all the players are confident in making the team and being here and to give off their best for the West Indies."

West Indies last played a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2005, losing it 0-2. The teams have played 12 Tests against each other, with Sri Lanka holding a 6-3 advantage.

Kumar Sangakkara, fresh from the success of a maiden ODI series win in Australia, warned against complacency. "We don't take any team lightly. We want to win the Test series. We expect nothing but the best from the West Indies and for us to match them."

The tour begins with a three-day warm-up game against Sri Lankan Board President's XI on November 10, followed by the first Test in Galle. After the three-Test series, the teams play five ODIs, of which the first two will be played in Hambanthota, one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup. They round-off the tour with a Twenty20 international.