West Indies captain Chris Gayle was full of praise for his players after their crushing victory against England in Jamaica.
Sarwan warns against complacency after comprehensive victory
West Indies captain Chris Gayle admitted the innings victory over England in the first Test helped bury the memories of the last time the two teams met in Jamaica.
Steve Harmison took 7-12 five years ago as the hosts were bowled out for just 47 to lose the opening match of the series.
However, this time the boot was on the other foot as the tourists were skittled for 51 - their third lowest Test total - on the fourth day at Sabina Park.
West Indies clinched an emphatic innings victory thanks in no small part to Jerome Taylor's 5-11 - though Gayle was quick to point out it had been a team effort.
Effort
"It's a brilliant day (for West Indies cricket)," he told
Sky Sports. "I can't fault the effort the guys have put in.
"First of all I have to commend them (England) for the way they've played - unfortunately we got the better of them in that session.
"It's nice to beat them in four days. This ground brings back a lot of memories so it's a different way around now and I'm happy for that.
"It's good to see our all-round cricket come together. Hopefully this can continue into the next Test and move on from strength-to-strength."
Gayle pinpointed the efforts with the bat in the first innings as crucial, the West Indies finishing with a 74-run lead that proved to be a match-winning total.
The skipper himself led the way with a determined hundred. He shared in a second-wicket stand of 202 with fellow centurion Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Credit
"You have to give credit to the way we batted in the first innings - getting a 74-run lead was brilliant," the left-handed opener added.
"Sarwan batted really well and (Brendan) Nash chipped in. (Sulieman) Benn with the ball was tremendous, picking up eight wickets. Then there is the guy who set the tone for us - Jerome Taylor. He picked up five crucial wickets."
On his own innings, he added: "I'm keeping up the consistency levels. In the last Test in New Zealand I got a hundred and then I've come back home and got another one, which is brilliant."
Sarwan was quick to warn against any complacency, insisting England would look to battle back in the second Test in Antigua, which gets underway next Friday.
"I'm sure they are going to come back pretty hard in the next Test match and we've got to be prepared for it," he said.
