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Allrounder ready for first home game

Sammy excited by St Lucia match

Cricinfo staff

April 14, 2008

	St Lucia fans should have their first opportunity to see their star player Darren Sammy in an ODI © DigicelCricket.com

Darren Sammy, the first international cricketer to come from St Lucia, says he cannot wait for his first chance to play an ODI in front of his home crowd. West Indies are hoping to complete a 3-0 whitewash when they take on Sri Lanka in the final game of the series at Beausejour Stadium on Tuesday.

The occasion will be extra special for Sammy, who has played 12 one-day internationals, and for the St Lucian fans, who he is certain will turn out in big numbers. "It's an amazing feeling for me although it hasn't happened as yet," Sammy said. "As a little boy you dream to play an international game in front of your home crowd.

"Tomorrow could be that opportunity for me, it would be a momentous occasion for me and all St Lucians. I know they will come out to support me and the West Indies team so I'm looking forward to play in front of my home crowd."

Sammy picked up one wicket and scored one run in the two matches against Sri Lanka in Trinidad and he will be desperate to lift his output on such an important personal occasion. "Any time I wear any cricket jersey I'm under pressure," he said. "This is not anything new to me but this time around I know the stadium will be packed, it will be a little added pressure but this is something, as a professional, you have to learn to deal with. I won't let my emotions take the better of me."

Victory in St Lucia would leave West Indies with a 3-0 ODI triumph after they came back from 1-0 down to draw the Test series against Sri Lanka 1-1. "It is a long time since West Indies has had a chance to complete a whitewash and as the coach [John Dyson] said we're looking to do that tomorrow," Sammy said. "If our guys continue to execute whatever plans we set out I see no reason why we shouldn't complete the whitewash."

© Cricinfo