Dyson is also confident about the team’s strategies to tackle key Indian players, though he admitted that the new members in the side could spring a surprise. India would take on Windies in the first of the four ODIs at Sabina Park on Friday, with key players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan missing from the series.

“We will play aggressive cricket, we will play to win as always, and we will aim for consistency of performance,” Dyson was quoted in the media on Wednesday.

“The players love the sunshine on their back, they like the warmer temperature, the local food. Of course, they like being home. They missed their families while they were away in England and getting back to the Caribbean will suit them down to the ground,” said the former Australian Test opener.

“We always look at the opposition and try and determine who the key players are for the opposition and think of ways that we may combat those key players. What we don’t know, of course, is from the lower-profile players, how they are going to perform and perform consistently throughout a series. So that’s something we have to monitor as the series progresses.”

He said the West Indies have a balanced side. “The squad’s balanced fairly well. If you look at the possible side that could walk on the field, we’ve got an extra batsman, we have an all-rounder who is also a very good batsman, (we have) normal pace and reserve pace, which is good. In the spin department, hopefully Chris (Gayle) will be providing back-up to Sulieman Benn,” he said.

Dyson, however, said the outcome of the series will depend on the how the pitches played. “It depends on the sort of wickets we’re playing on, on the conditions of the day, and the form our own players are in, and the opposition players are in.”
On the other hand, Windies Skipper Chris Gayle feels that with quality players such as Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, India could pose serious challenge for the West Indies.

Ousted early in the ICC World Twenty20, revenge-thirsty India would come down hard on West Indies in the forthcoming ODI series, believes Gayle. He also added that the side under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, however depleted, would seek to settle scores in the four-match ODI series. “We have a big game on Friday against India. We’re all looking forward to it,” Gayle said.

 “India is always a good one-day team and they will be looking to beat us after their Twenty20 disappointment. “Sehwag and Tendulkar are two world class players but they still have quality players to step up and they have a lot of experience in one-day cricket” he added.

“They still have quality players in Yuvraj (Singh), Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni, (Ishant) Sharma and a lot of guys to give us a lot of trouble,” Gayle said.

Having led the side to the semi-finals of the World T20, Gayle said he was quite happy with the support from all quarters. “The support has been brilliant. The guys gave me their full support and I gave them the same sort of support and respect which they deserve. It’s been enjoyable.”

“Captaining the West Indies has done a lot for me individually and I’m really happy and grateful to be captaining West Indies and the entire region,” Gayle said. “It’s a privilege and hopefully I can continue from strength to strength and give everyone something to cheer about. Hopefully we can wrap up this series and am looking forward to a lot of things,” Gayle said.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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