Windies starting to gel well - Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, feels the Caribbean cricketers are beginning to gel as a team, and it is beginning to show in the results column, especially in one-day internationals.

Sarwan, 26, part of the side getting ready for the DLF Cup tri-Series starting this week, points to their handsome 4-1 victory over India in the Caribbean in May this year as evidence of their improvement in limited overs cricket.

"We will be the first to admit that we have been inconsistent over the past few years but we're starting to play some good cricket now in the one-day form of the game and we need to build on the series victory we had over India in the Caribbean earlier this year," Sarwan said, after the team's draining practice in Kuala Lumpur, at the Kinrara Academy Oval.

West Indies play Australia and India in the DLF Cup. West Indies go into action tomorrow, against Australia.

Sarwan also said there is need to stick to a core group of players in order to ensure success.

"What we have been trying to do leading in to the Champions Trophy, and the World Cup to follow, is to stick to a core group of players and not do too much chopping and changing as we try to find the right formula for success," said Sarwan.

"This is an excellent opportunity for us here in Malaysia, to be playing against two of the top teams in the world - Australia are world champions and India are ranked number three - so we have to ensure that our game is always in top shape to get past these two teams," said Sarwan, who averages 46.82 in ODIs.

Commenting on the first training session at the humid Kinrara Academy Oval, Sarwan said he has not yet overcome jet lag after the lengthy trip from the Caribbean.

"Because of jet lag from the long trip over, I'm not feeling the way I would like to, my feet didn't move that well today but by Tuesday I will be fine."

Sarwan said he is keen to start the series in the right frame of mind to set the tone for the rest of the crucial and challenging tournament, and the ICC Champions Trophy to follow.

"It's important for me to get a good start and look to be positive, regardless of the humid conditions and the uncertainty about how the pitch will play. We all have to be positive throughout.".

After West Indies play their first game tomorrow, against Australia, they will take on India two days later.

All the matches are day and night fixtures and will all be played at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur, which will be hosting an international series of this nature for the first time.