Devon Smith Celebrates WI Recall
Thu, Jan 11, '07
interview by MICHELLE McDONALD
In the ODI arena, the only D Smith the West Indies selectors seemed to be interested in was Dwayne Smith. Devon Sheldon Smith appeared a distant memory after his last One Day outing against New Zealand in the triangular series in England in the summer of 2004. A modest average of 25.8 after seven matches did nothing to help his cause.
After the recall of Daren Ganga -- himself with an average of 26.58 at the time -- to play against New Zealand in the one day series in February 2006, Smith felt that he was no longer under consideration for limited overs cricket.
Then he had to make a decision between the lucrative Stanford Twenty20 tournament and the clashing West Indies 'A' team tour to England starting August 2006, a decision he calls difficult but one that seems to have paid off. He was later selected for the opening spot against the Sri Lankan 'A' team at home in November/December.
The Grenadian left handed opener leaves with the West Indies team for India on 16 January. "Surprised" is how Devon Smith described his inclusion when CaribbeanCricket.com spoke with him briefly after he helped the Windward Islands beat Guyana in the KFC limited overs competition at Tanteen in Grenada on 9 January...
MM: Devon, you leave for India with the West Indies team on Tuesday. How do you feel about getting back on the team?
DS: I feel good to be back on the West Indies team. I think I have worked hard enough. I just have to go there and cement my place, make sure I perform to the best of my ability.
When you say you have performed well enough, talk about the performances that you think may have lead to your selection.
On the 'A' team tour to England, I performed reasonably well. Came back here against Sri Lanka, performed reasonably well again, so I think I deserve my chance.
England was the last place you played on the senior team. How did you adjust to the conditions when you went with the 'A' team?
I think I always adjust to the conditions in England. I always look to do well up there. Over the last couple of years, I have been playing cricket in England and doing reasonably well so I think it is just a matter of getting acclimatized to the weather and the conditions.
Last year when the Stanford Twenty20 tournament was coming up, you were toying between playing for Grenada and making yourself available for the 'A' team tour. What were you thinking in terms of making that decision?
I think it was a tough decision because I wanted to represent my country but unfortunately I didn't because I was looking for the future. I thought going on the tour to England would benefit me in the long run.
Did you feel somewhat slighted that you had not been selected and they brought back other people who had been given extended runs?
Well yes, a bit disappointed but such is life. You have to overcome that. You have to be mentally tough and just continue to work on your game.
Had you been thinking that you might be included in the World Cup set up for the West Indies team?
I'll take it step by step. When I go to India, performance is going to be the key. If I perform, the rest will take care of itself.
How will you adjust your game in order to do well on those wickets in India where the conditions are different?
First of all when I go there, I'll acclimatize myself with the conditions and so on in practice and then I get myself match prepared.
After India what are you looking forward to?
I'd be looking hopefully to the World Cup and then afterwards I would hopefully be looking forward to England because we have a tour coming up.
Do you think you are back in the fold now? I know at one point you were feeling left out...discarded...
Yeah. Well not really. Just a bit. Sometimes I feel that I had an opportunity to be there because performing so well in a couple 'A' team tours I think, I give myself enough chances to get back on the team. But as I say, such is life so you have to live with it and be mentally prepared.
And how do you keep yourself mentally ready? Did you have any idea before you got notice you were going to India, that you might have been called up?
No. Just couple days ago, but I was kind of surprised.
You thought they had forgotten about you?
Yes, in One Day cricket. So I was a bit surprised. I have to go out there and try and cement my place.
