Ramnaresh Sarwan

toronto, canada:

Ramnaresh Sarwan said he was happy with the overall performance of the West Indies team after their opening victory in the Tri-Nation Series here Wednesday.

The right-hander made a polished unbeaten 49 to guide the Windies to a comfortable six-wicket win over Bermuda at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

"I was very pleased with the way we bowled and the way we fielded. We could have batted a bit better, but overall it was a good team performance. It was good to get that first win," said Sarwan, who stood in for Chris Gayle who was slightly ill.

"The bowlers stood out. I thought they did a very good job. They stuck to the plan and put the opposition under pressure from the start. The batsmen know what is required. It would be good for a couple of us to stamp our authority with some big scores as we look ahead to the Champions Trophy.

"After having not played for a while, I was happy to be back on the field again and being part of the action. I was happy with the way I played and I felt I was timing the ball very well. "

West Indies restricted Bermuda to 158 for nine off 50 overs and then chased down their target for the loss of four wickets in 31.5 overs.

Nash makes debut

Apart from Sarwan, Shawn Findlay stroked 41, debutant Brendan Nash made 27 not out and another newcomer Leon Johnson hit 27.

Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller took three for 19 while pacer Kemar Roach, in his first One-Day International, took two for 29.

Sarwan was full of praise for the newcomers and said the team was looking forward to today's second preliminary match against Canada at the same venue.

"Roach bowled eight overs on the trot and came back at the end and finished off very well. Nash played well. He was a bit nervous at the start and that's understandable. I thought he bowled decently and was very patient when he batted," Sarwan said.

The two sides meet again in the tournament final on Sunday at the same venue.

The tournament is a warm up for the West Indies campaign in next month's ICC Champions Trophy.

Brandan Nash