KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (AP):
JAMAICA'S NEWEST fast-bowling sensation Jerome Taylor called it a "dream" to be included in the West Indies team to face Sri Lanka in the first of two Tests starting in St. Lucia on Friday.
Taylor, who turns 19 on Sunday, received the news on Monday while representing the West Indies President's XI against Sri Lanka in a tour match which ended in a draw at Arnos Vale.
"People have been coming to me and saying that I could be selected for the first Test so I was somewhat mentally prepared, but still the thought of being in the West Indies squad is just great," Taylor said yesterday.
He said like every young fast bowler in the region, his ambition has been to play for the West Indies but the speed at which things have happened is like a dream.
"I've been dreaming about it all along," he said. "I wanted to play for the West Indies so badly but I didn't know it would come this quickly. I will just have to go out there and grab the opportunity with both hands."
Taylor, a slim Jamaican, would be the 10th teenager to play Test cricket for the West Indies if chosen in the final 11. He would be the youngest since 18-year-old batsman Alfie Roberts against New Zealand in Auckland in 1956.
He made his first-class debut for Jamaica in the domestic Carib Beer Series in February and quickly made his mark with innings figures of eight for 59 against Trinidad and Tobago in his third match.
Achieving good control from a relaxed action and generating pace consistently clocked in the high 80 miles (129 kilometres) an hour range, he took 21 wickets at an average of 20.14 in the Carib Series.
He bowled impressively in his first international appearance in the West Indies' victory in the third one-day match against Sri Lanka in St. Vincent on June 11, claiming two wickets for 39 runs from 10 overs.
He recalled the match, saying that remaining calm was the key to his success.
"The best way to go about is relaxing and you have a chance of giving more of yourself," Taylor said. "I just want to keep working hard and hope that the best can come my way."
