Ganga: We're staying upbeat
Acting West Indies captain Daren Ganga spoke with the media after the team's training session at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday afternoon.
Following are excerpts from his responses to various issues raised by journalists.
On how invigorating and upbeat the practice session was:
We have put what happened in Headingley behind us. We knew where we went wrong, we are trying to stay positive, stay upbeat and at this session we achieved that. We're looking forward to this three day game against the MCC XI and we're looking to get a lot of positives out of this so we can go into the third Test a lot more confident about our performances and ourselves.
On the importance of the three day warm up game against the MCC XI:
It's a wonderful opportunity to get accustomed to the English conditions. Before we played the first Test our first warm up game was washed out so the guys are very keen to get started here. There are guys who have been out of both Test matches and did not have an opportunity to play otherwise so this is a wonderful opportunity for them to stake a claim to play in the third Test match.
A lot of opportunities for batting form, for bowling form and getting good performances in going into that third Test match.
On needing to bounce back from the Headingley defeat:
We've got an inexperienced side, a young side and the guys are learning as we go along. It's very important for us to learn fast. If we don't make the same mistakes again, we're heading in the right direction. All the guys are keen and we're looking forward to starting well tomorrow and having three good days of cricket before we head into the third Test.
On the challenge of captaincy:
It's a very big challenge. I did not really think about it while being vice captain but these things happen in cricket and it's an opportunity for me to lead the guys. It's not going to be any different in terms of how we operate.
The guys are aware of what our objectives are for this tour so we have to keep improving and keep building. It's unfortunate for Sarwan to get injured but it's an opportunity for us to rally around each other and make West Indians proud.
On what he brings to the leadership table:
It's about my philosophies and the way I see things as a leader but the coach and the management staff share the same vision and it's very important for us to work together as a team. All the guys are aware that we need to improve. If we can support each other and work together in harmony that the only way we're going to go forward.