WINDWARD Islands cricket captain Darren Sammy has expressed confidence after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday ahead of Friday’s clash with Jamaica at the Chedwin Park ground.

Jamaica are two-time defending champions of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) four-day regional tournament but the Windwards, who came second last season, are hoping to go one better.

“Last year we came second in this format. I expect our team to look to improve and take it one step further …look to win the tournament. This year the team has a balance with young (players), plus (we have) seasoned campaigners,” he said, adding that his team will be boosted by last year’s victory over the Jamaicans.

The West Indies all-rounder said he expected tough cricket from the hosts who would still be peeved over last season’s loss. “That (the defeat) didn’t hinder them from winning the tournament, but I think they’ll be looking to come back and avenge that defeat,” Sammy said.

Many experts who watched the recent Jamaica three-day practice game are of the opinion that the hosts may field a team with legspinner Odean Brown and orthodox left arm spinner Nikita Miller to dismantle the Windwards batting on a wicket that is likely to take turn.

In response, Sammy said he has no fears and believes that the Jamaicans could encounter problems tackling the likes of veteran Rawl Lewis and off-spinner Shane Shillingford. “I don’t know much of it (the Chedwin Park pitch). Rawl played some cricket here and he’ll give us some information of what the pitch is like. I know our spinner Shillingford will love to bowl on it and Lewis himself. Spin has been a problem for most of the Caribbean cricketers so Shillingford will be licking his fingers if the wicket is going to spin,” he argued.

Sammy took 7-66 versus England on debut in 2007 but has since failed to hold down a place in the regional team, often times being preferred to specialised fast bowlers. The tall seamer, who has an overall average of 27.74 per wicket and provides useful lower order batting with an average of 19.40, played in only the second of the recently concluded three-Test series in Australia and is hoping that this season he will be able to cement his place.

“I always want to make sure I give a good account of myself. This season I want to score more runs, take more wickets and keep working on my all-round game. As a result, I believe in consistency (because) that’s the way you could really justify your selection. For me this year is all about being consistent with ball and bat,” said the 26-year-old St Lucian.

Sammy believes cricketers in the Caribbean would be better served with competing in a longer tournament as they did last year, but conceded that he has no control over the choices made by the Board.

“We’d love to play as much cricket as we can in the region. That’s how you will improve. The more you play is the more chances you have for selectors to see the players. But it’s a situation beyond my control, beyond the cricketers’ control,” he said.

The Windward Islands captain also paid tribute to last season’s captain Lewis for bringing the team to the level they are at now. “Windward cricket has been improving. From last year’s tournament we’ve definitely shown that Windward cricket is on the rise and the experience and leadership we had under Rawl. It’s wonderful he’s still in the team and he could offer his services to me and help Windwards moving forward.”

Seasoned campaigner Lewis, who has played in five Tests, told the Observer that he, too, has seen improvements in the team and believes his team could top the standings this year.

“We have shown improvement. We are no longer the cinderellas of West Indies cricket based on our recent performances. We have gone from strength to strength. We have some exciting young players and some experienced ones and I hope we can all pool together,” he said.