West Indies cricket team captain Chris Gayle pushes his luggage on a cart upon arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

West Indies captain Christopher Gayle says while the team did not win the just-concluded ICC World Twenty20 Championship in England, he was happy with the effort as they had tried their best.

Speaking at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, Gayle, who arrived with four other members of the team, said after an average start, the players rallied in key matches in the quarter-finals, only to fall short in the semi-finals.

Decent performance

"It was a pretty decent performance. We tried our best but in the end it was not to be. But I am not disheartened. In fact, I am proud of the guys, as at the championship, not many were expecting us to reach that far," said Gayle, who arrived along with former captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, out-of-form batsman Xavier Marshall, ace fast bowler Jerome Taylor, and allrounder David Bernard Jr, who was not used in any of the matches.

"The aim was to bring home the trophy and make everyone happy, especially the fans. Having said that, however, it was a wonderful experience, one that I think will serve the team well going into the future and one that should serve us well when we host the next World Twenty20 Championship here in the Caribbean," he added.

Meanwhile, it was a jubilant gathering which convened outside the arrival lounge at the airport to welcome the team, which was bereft of most of its players, who will arrive in the island today.

Shouting praises and seeking pictures and photographs, the gathering included fans and well-wishers, and according to most, they were proud of the team's effort.

"We love you Chris Gayle! Go Sarwan! Taylor!" were some of screams heard from a few female supporters.

"We are proud of you, good try," others said.

One-day International

The West Indies will next turn their attention to India, who they will play in a four-match One-day International Series, beginning on Friday at Sabina. The second match will also be played at Sabina, on Sunday.

"The Indians are a very good one-day team and while they may be without a couple of their players, they will prove to be a handful for us. But we are in good form and have confidence in our abilities and hopefully, beginning Friday, we can get a good start to the series," said Sarwan.

India, who arrived in the island last Friday for the series, will hold their first official training session at the venue today.