Sarwan behind strong Gayle

Former skipper insists laid back leader knows when to crack the whip

Last updated: 9th April 2008

Ramnaresh Sarwan Chris Gayle West Indies celebrating in Trinidad

Gayle: Leading West Indies on lap of honour in Trinidad

He (Chris Gayle) is the most calm person I have ever seen on a cricket field, whether he is captain or a regular player.

Ramnaresh Sarwan
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Ramnaresh Sarwan has ended any debate about who should lead the West Indies by stating that he is firmly behind current skipper Chris Gayle.

A lengthy lay-off saw Sarwan lose the captaincy and although he recently returned to the team for the home Tests with Sri Lanka, he did not take back the role.

Instead the selectors decided to stick by Gayle, who had led the West Indies to their first ever win on South African soil, although they ended up losing the series 2-1.

Although they were 1-0 down against the Sri Lankans, the hosts rallied in Trinidad to level the series thanks mainly to a match-winning century from Sarwan.

The 28-year-old believes the recent positive results show that his team-mate is the right man for the job, insisting he has no issue playing under the left-handed opener.

"Chris (Gayle) has been doing a great job with the team, everyone has been rallying around him, and I don't think there is anyone better to do the job at the moment," Sarwan said.

"Our coach (John Dyson) mentioned in the dressing room (after the Test win on Sunday against Sri Lanka), this is our second win in the last five Test matches and it has all been under Chris.

Quiet

"He is the most calm person I have ever seen on a cricket field, whether he is captain or a regular player.

"He has been very quiet in the dressing room, and whenever he needs to say stuff, he does say it. That's great.

"Everyone is very laid back. We know how West Indians are, and when he needs to put his foot down, he does put it down, but no one comes out from their personality, no one is scared and that is really good for us.

"Once everyone is calm in the dressing room, and calm on the field, we will get the best out of them."

Gayle will once again be in charge for the one-day series against Sri Lanka which gets underway on Thursday at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.

The second match takes place at the same venue on Saturday before the two teams conclude the series at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia on April 15.