1: You have often been compared to Clive Lloyd in terms of how hard you hit the ball, how does this make you feel? Does it put pressure on you?
I have heard people say this but I don't really think about it. I have also heard people say similar things about Wavell Hinds so that helps you put it into perspective. It shows that different people have different opinions and as long as it is others who have those opinions and not me then I think it is fine. I am not putting myself under pressure and saying, "I am going to be the next Clive Lloyd."

2. Your performance in Asia at the end of 2002 was really impressive. What was behind that?
Our coach Roger Harper has been an enormous help to me interms of my development. He has taught me a lot about the game - really explained it to me. He has encouraged me to improvise and to take chances. He likes for us to get off to a flyer in the first 15 overs and once that has been accomplished then he is quick to remind us that we must work the gaps and take singles and two's. But getting in and staying in once you are there is always a key and in that respect he has taught me a lot.

Along with all this I have also been working very hard on my fitness and in the nets. I like to stay and practice even after the official session is over and it is not just batting practice that has seen me get better it is also because I am much fitter than I ever was before.

3. So in between all the fitness and batting practice do you ever get a chance to practice your bowling?
Yes, a bit. I bowl in the nets and I like to turn my arm but I still  regard myself as a batsmen even though I know I will definitely have a role to play with the ball in the tournament.

4. Brian Lara has opened the batting for the Windies before. Is there any chance that he will be used at the top of the order during the World Cup or are things settled with you and Wavell Hinds?
We haven't decided on the exact batting order yet but I will be happy to bat wherever I am needed. It is great to have Brain back though because he is a great batsmna and he has so much experience. Having him with us will make us stronger.

5. What about the presence of guys like Nixon McLean and Vasbert Drakes who are very experienced in South Africa conditions - and will you be contacting Jimmy Adams who plays in Bloemfontein as well?
We played a warm-up game against Free State where Jimmy Adams is the captain, but he wasn't there so we couldn't talk to him. Obviously it is also good to have experienced guys like Nixon and Vasbert in the side. They know the conditions in South Africa very well and it will be a help to us for sure.

6. Playing the hosts in the opening game is a very tough assignment, but you must really be looking forward to it?
Yes we are. We can't wait to get out in the middle and start playing cricket. The first game is obviously important because it can set the tone for what is to follow, but for us the main aim is to play good cricket.

It won't be easy against South Africa who are a very powerful team - a good all-round team and I think you can probably say that it will be the type of game where just one slip-up will cost the match. At the World Cup you can't take any game for granted and you have to beat all the best teams in the world if you want to be the champions and we are aiming to go all the way.

7. At the moment The West Indies batting is getting lots of praise, but is the bowling strong enough to defend the scores you post?
Yes we do have a strong batting line-up but we also have a very good bowling attack. If everyone does their job then it will all be fine. In the same way that we have batsmen who acn attack and score runs we also have bowlers who can take wickets and put the pressure on the opponents. We have some really experienced bowlers now and we also have a youngster like Jermaine lawson who is very fast and certainly a bright prospect for the future.

8. Your current side is probably the strongest West Indies team fielded in almost a decade. You also come into the series with some good wins under your belt. Does this fill you with confidence?
Yes we are starting to come into our own but playing and winning in India and Bangladesh is very different to playing in the World Cup in South Africa where the pressure is so much more and the wickets are very different.

Here the conditions are very different, the environment is different and here is where it really counts. The wickets here are good for stroke-playing which is a very positive thing and we also know that the public at home are right-behind. We will be in the spotlight and we don't want to let anybody down. I guess we must just stay focussed and take the tournament one day at a time.

9. You are reportedly the joker within the Windies the squad. Is this true? Do you always like to have a laugh?
Yes, for sure. We all like to have fun and the guys all get on very well. There is a great atmosphere within the team, but there is a time and a place for being jovial. When it's work time it's work time and we all take the game very seriously.

10. Away from the cricket field what do you like to do to relax?
Well I haven't really thought much about my future beyond cricket. At this stage I just love to play the game and retirement and life away from the game is hard to contemplate.

Obviously I am not playing the game all the time though and when I get to take a break I like to take it easy and watch TV and listen to music. I like all kinds of music and Bob Marley, who was from Jamaica where I come from, is a legend who I really admire.