West Indies Caricket Board (WICB) president, Julian Hunte (left), gifts Windies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan the Man-of-the-Series trophy at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad, following the conclusion of the second Test. Sarwan hit a second innings century, 102, to lead the regional team to a series-levelling win. - PHOTO BY Dellmar

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has over-whelmingly endorsed Chris Gayle to continue as captain, effectively squashing the leadership issue ahead of Australia's arrival in the Caribbean next month.

Chris Gayle was appointed captain only for the Sri Lanka leg of the Home Series but the 27-year-old Sarwan said he was harbouring no thoughts of leading the regional team despite his own outstanding role in the drawn two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

RUNS

Sarwan carved out 311 runs at an average of 77.75, including a century that carried West Indies to a six-wicket victory on Sunday in the second Test at the Queen's Park Oval.

"Chris (Gayle) has been doing a great job with the team, everyone has been rallying around him and I don't think there is anyone better to do the job (captaincy) at the moment," Sarwan told reporters.

VERY CALM

"He is the most calm person I have ever seen on a cricket field, whether he is captain or a regular player. He has been very quiet in the dressing room and whenever he needs to say stuff he does say it, that's great.

"Everyone is very laid back, we know how West Indians are and when he needs to put his foot down he does put it down, no one comes out from their personality, no one is scared and that is really good for us.

"Once everyone is calm in the dressing room and calm on the field we will get the best out of them."

Sarwan was named captain for the West Indies tour to England last year but was forced out after injuring his shoulder in the second Test.

Daren Ganga led the team in the remaining Tests while Gayle took over as One-Day captain before being appointed for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Sarwan again ruled out through injury.

Sarwan, who currently serves as the team vice-captain, has shown maturity and responsibility since returning to the squad for the Guyana Test last month.

He hit 80 and 72 in the opening match at the Guyana National Stadium and followed that up with 57 and 102 in the just concluded Test, all innings which were flavoured with maturity and which gained him the Man-of-the-Series award.

Sarwan's 69 Tests have so far yielded 4614 runs at an average of 40.

Australia, due to arrive in the Caribbean on May 12, play three Tests and five limited overs matches.