ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

Captain Darren Sammy is determined to ensure West Indies take something away from their series against New Zealand, by winning the Twenty20 double-header starting at Windsor Park today.

West Indies went under 2-1 in the Test series after losing the decisive third Test by 53 runs last Monday and Sammy said it was now up to the T20 squad to restore a sense of pride, and give Caribbean fans a reason to celebrate.

"Obviously we didn't win the Test series so it's disappointing but it's Twenty20s here in Dominica, the first of two Twenty20 Internationals for Dominica and I know they will come out and support the West Indies team like they have before," said Sammy, who was axed as Test captain prior to the tour.

"For us, it is to go out there and play with that confidence which we have been playing with in that format, and look to salvage some pride by winning the two Twenty20s in Dominica."

Sammy's optimism is not well founded. West Indies have won just three of their last nine T20 Internationals on bi-lateral tours over the last 12 months, including losing 2-0 away to New Zealand in January this year.

They won three of four group games at the T20 World Cup in March, before bowing out in the semi-finals to eventual champions Sri Lanka.

The Windies will have to do without talismanic opener Chris Gayle who has been rested for the series but welcome back the big-hitting Kieron Pollard, who missed the T20 World Cup through injury.

He will be joined by T20 specialists Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons, who both scored heavily in the Indian Premier League, and champion off-spinner Sunil Narine who missed the Test series in favour of his IPL commitments.

Sammy said any of his squad could be match winners on any given day.

"With Gayle out, Simmons will most likely open the innings with probably (Andre) Fletcher at number three because we have three of them who can bat anywhere from one to five so we will come up with the right balance and the right combination," Sammy explained.