Sammy: I knew something special would happen
West Indies all rounder Darren Sammy picked up a stunning seven wickets on Test debut at Old Trafford.
After his sensational bowling performance ( 21.3-2-66-7), the second best debut figures by a West Indian since Alf Valentine in 1950, Sammy spoke with an eager media corps. Following are excerpts from his responses to various issues raised with him.
On how he was feeling about his debut performance with the ball:
I always dreamed of playing for the West Indies. I made my debut in the One Dayers and now in the Tests but I never thought it would turn out like that. It's a wonderful feeling, I'm very satisfied with my performance today.
On how it all started:
I remember when we were walking out on the field (Saturday morning) I told Cramps (Chris Gayle) I think something special is going to happen today and he said "Yeah? You have to make it happen" and I just went along putting the ball in the right areas and I came out successful.
On whether he will ever forget the 17th over in which he took three wickets in five balls:
Not ever. The skipper (Daren Ganga) might have changed me so I was saying to myself that I have to put the ball in the right area and the first ball to Ian Bell came out exactly how I wanted it then (Matt) Prior came (and I bowled) the same ball and it was unbelievable how the ball was just landing in the right areas. That's what I was picked to do and I think the coach is happy with my performance.
On the hat trick ball to Liam Plunkett:
I think it swung just a little bit too much but I was happy with the over.
On whether he will be asking for the match ball:
I have it already in my bag. (The ball will be on loan to the MCC Museum at Lords until Sammy returns to the Caribbean)
On the plan to bowl Kevin Pietersen short deliveries in order to get him out:
The last two innings he batted he has been out with short balls. He comes at you all the time and if you get the short ball high enough it's a chance that we could risk a boundary for a wicket. Today that happened. He always comes at you so sometime his aggression could be his downfall as well.
On the fielding errors:
The guys are working hard, every now and then you will have a few mishaps in the field but I think the guys are really putting in the effort. We came out after lunch and after tea and we were much better in the field and bowled much better as well.
On the mood of the camp given the state of the game:
The guys came out in the last session very confident. We have Chris (Gayle) at the wicket and Shiv (Chanderpaul) to come and (Dwayne) Bravo, (Runako) Morton and myself. We will sit down tonight and set out the team plan and hopefully we can take it session by session and see how far we can get in this game in chasing down this total.
On whether there will be national celebrations in St Lucia:
I was just on the phone with the Minister of Sports. He called to convey his congratulations. I know St Lucian people will be very happy today. They (family) were watching every ball from the first day at home (in St Lucia).