BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — West Indies captain Darren Sammy has described the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka as a tough one but expects his side’s preparation to make a difference.

“The tour is going to be a major challenge, there is no doubt about that and that is why it has been so pleasing to see everyone buckling down and doing the hard work here in the camp,” Sammy said during the third day of the Windies training camp here Tuesday.

“We are all aware of the task ahead. We have bonded well as a team and everyone is on the same page going forward.”

The West Indies 15-man squad were put through their third straight day of training, as they continued to gear up for the November 10 to December 21 tour.

Hampered by the passage of Tropical Storm Tomas on Saturday, they have spent every day since in full workouts at the 3Ws Oval under the care of head coach Ottis Gibson and his assistant David Williams.

Sammy, who was only last month appointed to replace Jamaican Chris Gayle, said there was already a sense of camaraderie among the team.

“The players have been working hard and doing all that has been asked of them. We had two full sessions on Sunday and Monday and another intense session today,” the 26-year-old all-rounder said.

“Everyone is enjoying what they are doing and we are eagerly looking forward to the tour. As I have said before, this tour will not be an easy one, so we must make sure we are fully prepared when we leave the Caribbean later this week.

“We have been working hard and we are enjoying it. It is good that everyone is enjoying what they are doing and taking responsibility for their individual game. We have been seeing smiling faces and everyone pulling together in the same direction.”

The squad departs the Caribbean today and tomorrow in two groups and will play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 International.