LONDON, England (CMC) – Chris Gayle believes West Indies can move mountains and make a successful start to their defence of the Wisden Trophy in the opening Test against England today at Lords.

The West Indies captain feels his side can overcome unusual playing conditions of an early English spring, less than convincing performances in the lead-up matches, and his delayed arrival to prove to their opponents and the World that their 1-0 series victory in the Caribbean was no slice of fortune. Winning the series in the Caribbean was one of the best moments of my career and it will be even nicer to beat them over here in their home town,x said Gayle on the eve of the Test.

xThe real thing starts (Wednesday). It will be more challenging than back home. We are aware of the conditions and we know it will be tough.x

He added: xWe have players in the team who have played here before and we are up for the challenge.

xThe first day of Test match can determine the outcome of a match so we will be looking for a good start and from there we can build on it.x

West Indies, however, have struggled to cope with the early spring conditions and enter the Test following a 10-wicket defeat in their warm-up match against the England Lions.

It does not bode well for a side looking to around 3-1, 3-0, and 4-0 whippings in their previous three Test series in England.

xInternational cricket is totally different in these conditions and hopefully we can put up a good fight,x said Gayle on the eve of the Test.

xIt is going to be tough. There are no two ways about it, much more challenging than it was back home.

He continued: xBut we have some guys who have played a lot of cricket here and we are up for a challenge and willing to put up a good fight.

xAnd England are under a bit of pressure to do well leading up to the Ashes.x

The batting – as usual – has been suspect, but if Gayle can overcome jetlag and his susceptibility to the moving ball then he could give the visitors the boost they require at the top of the order.

They will have to choose a suitable partner for him, since neither Devon Smith nor Dale Richards equipped themselves well in the warm-up matches they played.

Lendl Simmonsx half-century against the Lions seems to have strengthened his case, and it would not be totally surprising to see him there.

This would open a place lower in the order for either an extra bowler, most notably Andrew Richardson, or one of the two all-rounders, Darren Sammy or Dave Bernard Jr, to be the foil for Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards.

xWe have some good bowlers,x said Gayle. xJerome and Fidel will be the ones to lead the attack.

xWe also have some other bowlers who will be looking forward to getting a chance here at Lordxs and everyone will be keen to make a name and to do well for West Indies cricket.x

Gayle noted: xThe pitch here at Lordxs is usually very good so we expect another excellent track. Whatever we get we will be ready for it.

xWe have to be positive and look to get the better of England. England will be under a bit of pressure. We will try to stick to the basics and then apply pressure.x

England have not won the first Test of any series in their last 14 attempts, stretching back four years, and this will be one of their main aims in the Test.

xYou canxt just say it is an unfortunate coincidence when it has happened in 14 series,x said England captain Andrew Strauss. xWe want to put that record straight.

xIt has certainly been mentioned, and it would be wrong if we didnxt mention it. The reality is you donxt want to be either level or behind after the first Test of any series. You want to be in front.

xIt is something we are mindful of, and any thoughts of easing our way into the Test match summer are something we are trying to avoid at all costs.x

He said: xIf you come into the summer with the attitude xitxs the first Test, letxs see how it developsx, you will put yourself under a huge amount of pressure.

xFrom our point of view, these are two massive Test matches after what happened in the West Indies. We are looking for revenge; wexre looking to win back that Wisden Trophy.

xIn our conditions, itxs important we believe we can beat anyone.x

Squads:

England (from): Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook (vice-captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann

West Indies (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Denesh Ramdin (vice-captain), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Brendan Nash, Nelon Pascal, Dale Richards, Andrew Richardson, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

Umpires: Steve Davis, Asoka de Silva

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.