Gayle revels in series joy

West Indies end long drought

Last updated: 11th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gayle revels in series joy

Gayle: series win at last

I'm really happy, but not just for the team but also the people overseas. I'm sure they are jumping for joy.

Chris Gayle
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Chris Gayle dedicated West Indies' first Test series win in five years to the cricket-loving public in the Caribbean.

Skipper Gayle oversaw a 1-0 victory against England, a scoreline that was clinched in nail-biting fashion when the hosts clung on for a draw in the final Test in Trinidad.

Chasing a target of 240, West Indies finished on 114-8 to secure a stalemate and reclaim the Wisden Trophy for the first time since 2000.

"I'm really happy, overjoyed, and you just have to enjoy the moment," said Gayle, whose side won the opening Test in Jamaica by an innings and 23 runs.

"These things don't come around often and I just want to thank each and every player for their efforts and the character they have shown.

"I'm really happy, but not just for the team but also the people overseas. I'm sure they are jumping for joy."

West Indies' success was down to application from their batsmen on flat pitches.

Super Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan led by example with more than 600 runs to win the man-of-the-series award.

"Sarwan has been consistent throughout the series," added Gayle. "He didn't get many runs in New Zealand but he came here and stepped up to the plate and it was a really big effort from him.

"Also, Denesh Ramdin and Brendan Nash getting their first Test hundreds was crucial and Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been as consistent as ever.

"We have also got a few young players in the team and hopefully they can follow suit."

Sarwan, whose lowest score during the first four Tests was 94, said: "At the start of this series we said it was really important to get as consistent as we can and I think, not only myself, but all of us, tried really hard to get that.

"Obviously we haven't won a series in five years. It's even more special to beat England at home and myself, Chris and Shiv have played a lot of games and we haven't won too many series - to win this series means a lot.

"I think it is down to grit and determination that we have."