Twenty-year-old all rounder Darren Sammy, named in the 15-member squad for the NatWest International Series in England, faced the press for the first time yesterday in a WICB on-line chat, a recent initiative by the Board.
In the on-line chat hosted by Imran Khan, the team's media liaison officer, Sammy answered questions from Caribbean and international journalists on his selection to the squad, his ambitions and plans for the future.
The text of that that on-line chat follows...
Q: Little is known about you Darren, what should the public know about you?
A: I was born in Micoud on the East Coast of Saint Lucia. I played cricket for Saint Lucia Under-15, Under-19, Windwards Under-19 and made West Indies Under-19 in 2001-2002. I made my ODI domestic debut for Windward Islands in 2001. We played as Northern Windwards of course I love talking to people and being happy. I will do whatever it takes to get a laugh.
Q: Darren have you been able to fit in with the team, and how was your nerves in the warm-up games?
A: To be honest I feel really welcomed... The team spirit is excellent. The guys have accepted me very nicely. In my first game I was a bit nervous but at my bowling I was more or less relaxed.
Q: How would you assess your performance so far in the games you have played?
A: I have come short in my batting. I hardly spent time at the crease but I have bowled fairly OK. I am looking to improve at every game I play. I have been working with the coach on my fielding and other technical parts of my game and as I said I am looking to improve.
Q: What was your reaction when you heard you were called up to join the West Indies squad... did you have any idea you were being considered?
A: When I came up here to England I always kept at the back of my mind that I would play at least one of the warm-up games but I never thought of getting into the squad so soon, so I was elated. I was speechless when Leonard Robertson (of the WICB) called me to confirm my selection... I thought I was in a dream. After a few minutes I realised what was really happening.
Q: Darrren you were in England before being called up - how big is the jump from the level you were playing at now and how were you doing in the league that you were playing in?
A: Recently I was playing for the MCC young cricketers. We play against County second 11 and most times we would have first 11 players using these games as practice. It is competitive, the step is not that big but I had to adjust in certain areas of my game. For instance at this level you get fewer bad balls so you need to find ways and means of scoring and also the guys I bowl at are much better batters.
Q: You are the first cricketer from St. Lucia to play for the West Indies, how does it feel to have the expectations of a nation behind you?
A: The pressure has always been there to perform knowing that the island was looking at me as the first St. Lucian to break through. I had a lot to live up to. I find I've dealt with the pressure over the years so I'm looking to do the same at the international level. I have to go out there and perform to the best of my ability and give 100 per cent every time.
Q: What has been the reaction in the team to the removal of Sir Viv Richards as chairman of selectors? Did it come as a surprise to you? Is this something you and your team-mates have discussed?
A: No we have not discussed it and I have not really thought about it.
Q: Do you feel pressured concerning your expectations, especially persons from your country?
A: In a way yes, I feel some pressure but from the response I get from the public at home is that they are supporting me 100 per cent which gives me this energy and zeal to go out there and perform.
Q: How has the English conditions aided your ability to swing the ball?
A: I am a natural mover of the ball so basically playing cricket here in England will just assist me more in moving the ball. The only thing is that I have been playing with the red ball and One-Day cricket is played with the white ball and we all know the white ball tends to swing a bit more.
Q: Is it your desire to play Test cricket and have you set a time period for trying to get into the Test side?
A: Yes it is my desire to play Test cricket. Mr. Clive Lloyd (former West Indies captain) had a chat with me and one of his statements that I could vividly recall is to always strive for the best, to stay at the top, in that he meant I should not be satisfied with ODI cricket, I should be looking to get into the Test squad. Since I am named in the reserves it's a step closer in me playing Test cricket.
Q: How did the loss against Ireland impact on you and your team-mates - was it treated as a wake-up call by the captain and coach?
A: Yes, more or less it was a wake-up call. It taught us that no matter who the opposition is on the day we have to go out and play good consistent cricket throughout the game.
Q: You have experience in English conditions? What is the first thing, in your opinion, should a team take into consideration if they are visiting England for the first time?
A: Catching will be more difficult, the ball will be swinging a lot more so I think we have to be mentally strong to prepare yourself for these conditions. Catching will be more difficult because your hands can get numb and stiff because it is cold. You also have to watch the ball a little longer when batting.
Q: How long have you been living in the UK? Are you comfortable with the English conditions - like weather, pitches etc.?
A: I've been living here from March (10th) to now and I was here last year for 14 weeks. From the end of May to July it's closer to Caribbean temperature but we all know in England the weather changes drastically and early on in the season the pitches are usually slow and green but later on it becomes better to bat on.
Q: Viv Richards was one of the selectors that picked you, aren't you a bit concerned that the new committee may go in a different direction?
A: No not at all. At the end of the day it depends on how well I perform.
Q: What do you think of the West Indies chances over the summer?
A: I know for a fact that we have a very very good chance of winning this (NatWest ODI) tournament. As long as the guys go out there and perform as a unit we should come out victorious.
Q: Are you looking forward to getting picked on the one-day team to compete in the Natwest ODI, and what do you see as your biggest challenge?
A: I am working hard and looking forward to playing but it is up to the selectors to bring out the best team on that day. No matter what I will still be giving the team 100 per cent.
Q: In an interview with your dad, he pointed out that parents must support their children in their drive to become better sportsmen and women. What is your opinion on the importance of parents in the development of our talented young cricketers, and what message do you have for them?
A: My advice to parents is to encourage them to go forward because you never know what could happen in the future. At first my mom didn't want me to play cricket because she felt the sport wouldn't bring me anywhere especially since I was from St. Lucian and no Lucian ever played for West Indies, but my father was always willing to let me go to training when she would not agree to it, so that gave me a chance to develop to become the cricketer which I am today. 'Parents, support your kids' is my message. I think I have the best parents in the world because people who know how I was brought up would agree to that. My parents had me in their teens and they nurtured me and brought two more kids into the world and for that I respect and adore them. With them being so young it was hard on them but they did it and were able to bring me up in a proper way.
Q: What projections do you have for boosting your batting performances?
A: Before I joined the team I was working with the coaches at MCC and I was doing video analysis on my batting to point out my technical deficiencies and the coaches have been helping me in correcting these. I'm looking forward to becoming a batsman who applies himself and scores runs. Lots of runs (laughs). (Windiescricket.com)