SAMUELS... stands a good chance of making for the tour down under.
MARLON SAMUELS has his eyes peeled for a recall to the West Indies team to tour Australia for the VB triangular one-day series in January.
Samuels, who has been out of the West Indies team due to injury is back in good health and has undergone intensive training with the regional squad under the guidance of new head coach Bennett King.
With 19 Test matches under his belt, Samuels now awaits the announcement of the 14-man squad, which he stands a good chance of making for the tour down under. The talented all-rounder has so far scored 874 Test runs, including one century, 104 against India, at an average of 29.13.
Samuels, a Melbourne and Jamaica representative, who has played at every level for the West Indies, Under-15 to senior team, has 1412 runs in 53 one-dayers including a top-score of 108. He has two first Class hundreds and 13 fifties.
Question: Tell us about your time at the camp in Barbados under new head coach Bennett King?
Marlon Samuels: I think it was a very good experience. I think the coach is very professional and knows what he is doing. He is more looking at skills than other coaches who look to fitness where you have to run 50 laps. The drills we do we always have our bat and ball and it was very intense. He is very professional in what he brings to the team, the new ideas, especially fielding. We do a lot of fielding, fielding every day. We actually work from about 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and we hardly get breaks between.
Q: How much do you think these new ideas can help Marlon Samuels and West Indies cricket?
MS: I think it is the best move ever for me because of the way they (new coaching staff) are treating me. They treated me well. Certain drills they won't let me do but at nights they gave me extra work. They know the seriousness of my injury and they know how to deal with it. They said they don't want me for two years, they want me for 10 years. They know how to treat someone who is injured and they are treating me in a professional manner. So, as long as they are in control, I will never do a beep test and shuttle run again. That is something I always did and broke down several times. They tell me I am not going to do that anymore.
Q: What kind of relationship do you have with the new coach?
MS: I think we are having a good relationship so far and I hope it continues.
Q: Bennett King became the first overseas coach for the regional team. Do you believe this was a good move by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to hire an overseas coach?
MS: Yes, definitely because as I said, those two weeks were rough in training and I learnt a lot. It was the most balls I have ever batted in my entire life in a training. I was just batting continually and I found it interesting. I found it easier than in the past.
Q: How much did you learn?
MS: I learnt a lot because there was a lot to be learnt. The coach watched me and then came to me and told me what I should try. I tried them and it felt a lot better.
Q: What are some of the other things the coach would have brought to your game that you had never done before?
MS: To be consistent in whatever I am doing. To think about my game more.
Q: Who is your favourite
player?
MS: Steve Waugh. He is not a very talented player but he is somebody that is very dedicated and knows what he wants, sets himself goals and achieves them.
MS: What has been your most memorable moment in the sport?
MS: Getting that rag from Steve Waugh down in Australia. It means a lot to me because he had the rag for 22 years.
Q: Which is the most difficult bowler you would have faced?
MS: Muttiah Muralitharan because he uses the same action to bowl six different balls. He is difficult to bat at any given time.
Q: Of all your Test innings, which would you say is the best?
MS: The century in India.
- Anthony Foster
