Gayle: I?m overjoyed!

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- West Indies batted with determination to earn a draw against England in the fifth and final Digicel Test Match to win the five-match Digicel Series 1-0.

Vice Captain Denesh Ramdin batted for 87 balls to make 17 not out as the West Indies ended the match on 114-8 after being set 240 for victory. The results handed the West Indies the prestigious Wisden Trophy.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle said he was delighted to win the hard-fought series.

“I’m really happy, overjoyed, and you just have to enjoy the moment,” the 29-year-old Gayle said after accepting the trophy from Dr Julian Hunte, President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

“These things don’t come around often and I just want to thank each and every player for their efforts and the character they have shown. I had a lot of confidence in the guys but it was pretty tense at the end,” Gayle added.

“Batting in those situations is never easy, we had a bit of a scare, but we had a capable batsman in Denesh Ramdin and we know Fidel Edwards has been in this situation before.”

The captain dedicated the series victory to all supporters of West Indies cricket.

“This is not just a win for the team but for all those across the region who support us and all those who live overseas who are with us. We have worked hard and the hard work has paid off. We thank everyone for their massive support and we are happy we have to have our hands on the trophy.”

The West Indies won the first Digicel Test in Jamaica by an innings and 23 runs after they dismissed England for 51 in the second innings. The second Test was abandoned and the following three all ended in draws. West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was named Digicel Man-of-the-Series for his brilliant batting. He made 626 runs including three centuries at an average of 104.33 per innings.