New skipper Chanderpaul chats to coach Bennett King

Shivnarine Chanderpaul insists he will not be troubled by extra nerves in his first Test as West Indies captain.

He will lead the team against South Africa on Thursday as former skipper Brian Lara and six others were left out of the squad in a sponsorship dispute.

"I've done some captaincy for Guyana and also on tours for West Indies, so it's nothing strange to me.

"It's my first time in Test cricket but it's all cricket so I'm not too worried about it," Chanderpaul commented.

Feature: Chanderpaul steps up

Despite winning the Champions Trophy in 2004, West Indies had a dismal year in Test cricket, losing eight of their 12 matches and winning only once - against Bangladesh in Jamaica last June.

The absence of Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, in particular, leaves their batting line-up with an experimental look.

Chanderpaul will therefore carry extra responsibility for run-scoring as well.

He has made more than 5,000 runs in 80 Test appearances at an average of 44, but his record against South Africa is less impressive with 622 runs in 10 matches at an average of 31.

Although the odds are stacked against West Indies, they will at least have home advantage, and the 30-year-old is upbeat about their chances.

"I'm positive, we are all positive. Once we play to our abilities - and all the guys are very talented - and play better than South Africa, we will win," he said.