Denesh Ramdin ready for challenges as West Indies captain

Port of Spain, May 11 (IANS/CMC): Newly-installed West Indies skipper Denesh Ramdin is anticipating a myriad of challenges when he takes over at the helm of the regional side but says he is ready for the learning curve the role will present.

The 29-year-old was  on Friday named by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to lead the Test team, replacing all-rounder Darren Sammy, who held the position since November 2010. Ramdin said that despite his experience of captaining Trinidad and Tobago, the Windies role would require greater skills.

“With Trinidad and Tobago it’s been good. I’m just taking it to another level now. I think the concentration and the tactical level will be higher and I’ll be making stronger decisions in terms of Test matches,” the wicketkeeper said.

“To get guys out at that level is a lot more challenging. Having the bowlers to bowl at particular batsmen and getting them to work towards a plan which I would like our bowlers to do, will also be challenging.”

Ramdin has already led West Indies in a One-Day International (ODI) and three Twenty20 Internationals but has never captained in a Test. He said he would be seeking advice regularly from the senior members of the side.

“It’s going to be fun. I’m sure some of the senior players who will be around will help me as well. I will go to them for advice, I’m not going to do it on my own. That’s why we have all those players like Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, all those players I will be looking to get advice from,” Ramdin said.

Often criticised for his inconsistent batting, Ramdin has caught the eye recently with an enterprising run of form. He scored two of his four Test centuries in 2012 and hit another last year along with three half-centuries. He has averaged 44 over the last two years, which has seen his overall Test average rise to 27.25.

With the added role of captaincy, Ramdin said that he was aware adjustments would have to be made to his game.

“The experience that I have, I would like to use that but there are some circumstances where I will have to change certain things in terms of my batting and adapt to situations and bat with the lower order,” explained Ramdin, who has played 56 Tests.

“There may be occasions where I need to work out the bowling and try to get quick runs for the team and put our ourselves in a better position. But it is going to be challenging. Wicketkeeping 90 overs or a day-and-a-half and then going out to bat the following day is going to be tough but I guess that’s what brings out the best in me.”

He added: “It’s a very tough challenge to represent the West Indies team as the captain and there are going to be a lot of ups and downs and a big challenge for me but a learning curve as well.”