DELHI, India, (CMC):

Darren Sammy believes West Indies can overturn an abysmal, recent One-day International record against Test-playing nations, and upset a few teams in the World Cup.

The West Indies captain was speaking ahead of his side's opening match in the World Cup against South Africa tomorrow at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

"We have to believe in our ability," he said in response to questions posed by the CMC Sport Wire. "We are here to compete like any other team.

"We have one objective in mind, and at the end of the day, once we go out onto the field and execute, anything is possible."

West Indies have endured an inordinately lean period in One-day International since the last World Cup. This has led to Sammy's side plunging to ninth in the World Rankings for this format, behind minnows Bangladesh.

Sammy feels this should motivate the players to lift their performances during the World Cup, which help them to move in a different direction on the list.

"We are all very aware of it," he said. "But we start this tournament with every team on zero points, and we know the World Cup is the most prestigious event in cricket."

West Indies plans for the tournament hit a snag, when wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh Jr and opening batsman Adrian Barath were forced to return home with hamstring injuries.

It will still be a rough baptism for Sammy as captain, as well as Edwards and Thomas as young players, when West Indies face the South Africans.

reverse record

Apart from the sheer gulf in skill application, West Indies will have the additional burden of reversing a record that shows they have lost their last 11 ODIs to the Proteas.

Their last victory over Graeme Smith's side, however, came five years ago in India, when they won their semi-final in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy by seven wickets at Jaipur's Mansingh Stadium.

Only four players have survived from that side. They are vice captain Dwayne Bravo, as well as former captains Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, and Ramnaresh Sarwan. All will have vital roles to play if West Indies is to stun the South Africans once again.

Match starts at 4 a.m. (Ja time) tomorrow and can be viewed on CMC television partners throughout the region.