Sarwan hails Gayle influence

Ramnaresh Sarwan is trying to stay laid back © Getty Images

West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has insisted Chris Gayle is the ideal captain ahead of the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Port of Spain on Thursday.

Sarwan was named man of the series after hitting three half-centuries and a ton in the drawn Test series which finished on Sunday.

And the 27-year-old former skipper believes Gayle's calmness both in the dressing room and on the pitch is bringing the best out of his team-mates.

Sarwan said: "Chris has been doing a great job with the team, everyone has been rallying around him and I don't think there is anyone better to do the job at the moment.

"He is the most calm person I have ever seen on a cricket field, whether he is captain or a regular player.

Chris Gayle is calm on and off the ground

"He has been very quiet in the dressing room and whenever he needs to say stuff he does say it, that's great."

Gayle led from the front as he sought to save the first Test in Guyana, adding control to his natural aggression in his unbeaten 51 before finally running out of partners.

West Indies bounced back in style from that defeat with a six-wicket win in the second Test - thanks largely to Sarwan's 102 in the second innings - to tie the series 1-1.

Sarwan added: "Everyone is very laid back; we know how West Indians are and when he needs to put his foot down he does put it down; no one comes out from their personality, no one is scared and that is really good for us.

"Once everyone is calm in the dressing room and calm on the field we will get the best out of them."

The hosts have retained the majority of their Test squad for the three-match ODI series, with off spinner Amit Jaggernauth the only man not included.

All-rounder Kieron Pollard, who played his only one-dayer during last year's World Cup, has been brought in.