West Indies' Marlon Samuels is targetting the number one spot after helping his side win the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

Samuels was named man of the match in final in which he smashed 78 off 56 balls to help the West Indies to a modest 137-6 against hosts Sri Lanka and then took 1-15 from four steady overs.

Samuels hit six sixes and three fours to lift his team to 105 runs in the last 10 overs after they were reduced to 32-2 from the first 10.

He has played 39 Tests and wants to target the top spot in the longer versions of the game.

"I want to be number one and I will continue to work hard because I want to be number one before I finish," Samuels was quoted as saying by The Gleaner.

"I have a lot of plans and the bar continues to rise, especially when I achieve my goals. So what I can say is look out for a more mature cricketer, and an improved cricketer, and I will just continue to work as hard as possible," he added.

Samuels added that he is also looking to make his first double century, saying talking about his plans put pressure on him which help his best shine through.

"The world hasn't seen a double century or a triple century from me as yet, so look forward for them and as soon as possible," Samuels said.

"Every time I talk things before it happens, so you can see by now I like to put myself under pressure ... that's how I bring out the best in me."

Samuels has endured a turbulent 12-year career since his debut in 2000, having seen his bowling action questioned before being suspended for two years in 2008 for alleged links with bookmakers.

"For you to have been playing something since age 12 and then for someone to tell you that you can't play for two years, words can't explain how tough that is, but nevertheless I am back with my first love, which is cricket," Samuels stated.

“The career has been up and down,” Samuels admitted. “There have been a lot of tough times. I dealt with them in simple ways and tried to let them pass.

“Being under pressure on a cricket field is nothing compared to what I’ve been through off the field."

He added that he hopes to make a mark in Test cricket too as that gives a cricketer more recognition.

"I always loved Test cricket and I continue to love Test cricket. The T20 is exciting, brings a lot of new fans, but Test cricket continues to keep the older people. I think you are more recognised in the world as a Test cricketer," he added.