St George’s Grenada – Wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin is hoping to have a “huge” impact both in front and behind the stumps as he marks his return to the West Indies team in the upcoming One-Day Series against Zimbabwe.
Dinesh Ramdin.
The experienced 27-year-old, who has made 94 One-Day appearances for the Windies since his debut in 2005, has been recalled after missing the last two One-Day trips to Bangladesh last December and in Australia earlier this month.
“It’s wonderful to be back in the West Indies One-Day colours and I’m looking to grab this opportunity with both hands. I have been away from the ODI scene but I have been doing well in Test cricket. I had some good performances last year, so I am looking to transfer that into the One-Day format, starting with these matches against Zimbabwe,” Ramdin told WICB Media.
“I am mentally and physically ready for this challenge. My form is ‘there’ and I am feeling confident with the bat and I have been working twice as hard to make sure I get runs when I’m out in the middle. Behind the stumps I worked overtime to make sure that I was fit and ready when the selectors called on me.”
Ramdin was speaking as he joined team-mates during a full training session on Wednesday at the Grenada National Stadium, where the three-match rubber will be played on Friday, Sunday and next Tuesday. The series will mark a return of international cricket to the Spice Isle for the first time since 2009.
“While I was out I did a lot of work on all areas of my game. I think my role with the bat is mainly to hit the ball in the gaps, run really hard between the wickets and accumulate good scores for the team. There are other guys in the team, like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, who have the power to clear the boundaries and other guys who can come and hit the ball down at the bottom. So basically, I see myself as someone to keep things ticking and look to bat through the end once I get that chance,” Ramdin said.
The Trinidad & Tobago captain added that this series against Zimbabwe could serve as good preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be played in England in June. The West Indies are among the eight teams which will compete for the trophy in the 50-over tournament.
“We need to play better all-round cricket. We need to be disciplined when we play against Zimbabwe. They put up a really good fight against us last time they were here in the Caribbean. This International Home Series will be the ideal build-up for that tournament later in the year as we look to see the combinations and create a winning chemistry as we prepare,” he added.
“It will be tough playing in England at that time of the year so we need to prepare well and create a winning momentum as we get ready to face the other top teams in the world.”
The Windies will have another training session on Thursday morning at the Grenada National Stadium.
WEST INDIES SQUAD
Dwayne Bravo (Captain)
Tino Best
Darren Bravo
Johnson Charles
Narsingh Deonarine
Sunil Narine
Veerasammy Permaul
Kieron Pollard
Kieran Powell
Denesh Ramdin
Kemar Roach
Andre Russell
Ramnaresh Sarwan
FULL TOUR SCHEDULE
Fri, Feb 22: 1st One-day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Sun, Feb 24: 2nd One-day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Tue, Feb 26: 3rd One-day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Sat, Mar 2: 1st T20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Sun, Mar 3: 2nd T20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Thu, Mar 7 to Sat, Mar 9: Tour match – Windward Sports Club, Barbados
Tue, Mar 12 to Sat, Mar 16: 1st Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Wed, Mar 20 to Sun, Mar 24: 2nd Test – Windsor Park, Dominica