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Windies confident of winning Champions Trophy
The West Indies take on England on Saturday with Sarwan convinced that the team is about to make its mark in the new millennium.
West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is confident the West Indies can end a long sequence of failures by winning the ICC Champions Trophy.
The West Indies take on England at the Oval on Saturday with Sarwan convinced that the team of the 1980s and 1990s is about to make its mark in the new millennium.
Sarwan's unbeaten half century was a key factor in the seven-wicket win over Pakistan at Southampton on Wednesday and he said the team were now ready for England again.
Sarwan said: "The win over Pakistan was very important to us because as a country we have not won anything important in recent years.
"I'm not surprised how well England have done and it promises to be a great occasion.
"We did well against England in the NatWest series earlier this season and I would like to think we hold the psychological advantage.
"The good news is that Brian Lara is going to be fine. I know he is eagerly looking forward to leading the team in the final, so it is a big boost.
"I was at the other end when he was hit by Shaoib Akhtar and I thought he had been hurt badly when he fell to the ground.
"He wanted to continue after treatment but it was wise for him to get further treatment so that he could come back out if we needed him. Luckily we did not."
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes the West Indies will start as favourites to win the trophy because they have run into form at the right time and have the bowling discipline to succeed on the big day.
Inzamam said: "It does not surprise me that the final will be between England and the West Indies. They are both playing well at the moment and deserve their chance. It will be a close match."
