Chanderpaul

West Indies middle-order batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, said he is expecting the younger players in the team to rise to the occasion in their upcoming four-Test Digicel Home Series against England, which begins at Sabina Park tomorrow.

"I think the young fellows around are learning and Nash (Brendan) also did well the other day in New Zealand in the last Test match and we have other players like Xavier Marshall and Dale Richards and hopefully all these guys can go out there and all pull their weight, because everybody has to pull their weight in all these games," he said following the West Indies team's training session at Sabina Park yesterday.

"I don't know what is going to happen on Wednesday (tomorrow) but we just have to go out and do our best and hopefully we can all do well and win the game," he said.

"It is for us to come out on top in all the games because winning the series is the main focus now. Starting ahead and staying ahead will be the main focus for us. I am hoping to go out there and do better than the last time they were out here."

Chanderpaul also noted that cricket is played out in the middle and if the West Indies play well enough, they can win the series.

"Everybody is trying because nobody is perfect and nobody knows what is going to happen out there but we are all trying. But sometimes we go out there and things don't happen for us and it is not like we are not putting in the hard work, but give these guys some time and they will come right," he said.

Very optimistic

Meanwhile Nash, who will be playing in his first home series, is very optimistic the team can do well.

"We are very confident because it has only been a few changes from the last Test squad and so we still have the nucleus from the last Test match in New Zealand," said Nash. "We are hoping that the experience that we have gained playing together can help us this series."

On a personal note, Nash said: "I am very much looking forward to this home series because this is something I have waited for a long time and hopefully if given the opportunity, I would like to come-out and play well for the West Indies.

"I am still very new to Test cricket and one-day cricket and for me it is still a learning curve and hopefully I can continue on the good work I have done so far and keep working hard in the nets and whenever I get my opportunity, I will really try and grab it with both hands."