Little Barath eager to take big opening

Mon, Nov 16, '09

 

Adrian Barath is the “baby” of the West Indies team and is looking to take it step by step as he prepares for the upcoming Test Series against Australia. The talented opener is just be 19 years old and stands just 5-foot-4-inches, but he has already put up some impressive numbers in his short first-class career. He will be hoping to get into the starting XI when the West Indies take the field on Wednesday (Tuesday night Caribbean Time) to face Queensland in a four-day match at the Allan Border Field. After that he has his eyes set on opening the innings in the Test matches against Australia. The teenager has a level head on his small shoulders and said he is looking to take it one step at a time.

“It is an honour to be part of the West Indies team. This is something I have been waiting for since I started playing cricket as a little boy. This is a privilege,” he said.

Last month Barath was praised for his performances during Trinidad and Tobago’s great run at the Champions League Twenty20 Tournament in India. Earlier this year he also showed his class with a brilliant century for West Indies “A” Team against England during their tour of the Caribbean.

“I’m confident … I have worked hard and I’m prepared. I performed well in the Champions League in India for Trinidad and Tobago and I’m looking to continue. All I want is the opportunity to get out there and show what I am made of. I am a player who can adapt to foreign conditions. I will play it as I see it,” Barath said.

He has been working overtime in the nets and seeking advice from his more experienced team-mates and members of the coaching staff. He has also been spending time with Brendan Nash, the left-handed middle-order batsman who played most of his first-class cricket for Queensland before re-locating to Jamaica, the birthplace of his parents.

“Everyone has been extremely helpful and I feel very comfortable. He (Nash) has been a great help. He has experience here in Australia and he has offered me a lot of advice on the conditions here in Australia. It is always good to sit and listen to people who have been there before,” Barath added.

On Monday the West Indies players had another intense training session on another scorching day at the Border Field, in the suburb of Albion. They will have another session on Tuesday afternoon at the same venue.

The opening four-day tour match will be against Queensland at the Allan Border Ground on November 18-21. The first Test will be at the Gabba on November 26-30; the second Test will be at the Adelaide Oval on December 4-8; and the third Test at the WACA Ground in Perth on December 16-20.

Team: Chris Gayle (Captain), Denesh Ramdin (Vice Captain), Adrian Barath, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Brendan Nash, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor, Gavin Tonge.

Team officials: Joel Garner (Manager), David Williams (Coach), Hendy Springer (Assistant Coach), C.J Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Officer), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist), Robert Haynes (Selector).