Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Dwyer: I want to play for my country. I have been working towards it. - file

Back-of-the-hand left-arm spinner, André Dwyer, left the island with Jamaica's senior cricket team on Tuesday, convinced that his journey to success has just started.

"The journey has just begun," said Dwyer, who had travelled as part of Jamaica's team to the inaugural West Indies Under-15 tournament in 1996, but did not play a single match.

He was, however, in the company of Marlon Samuels and David Bernard Jr., players who went on to represent the West Indies, as well as Andrew Richardson and Tamar Lambert, who was that team's captain.

He said he is still excited about this senior call-up, but,"Just want to remain focused and go out there and play cricket, and hopefully at the end of the day we can come out victorious, and for myself, I want to do well."

This time around, Dwyer said if given the chance, he aims to grab it with both hands.

No new game

"If given the chance I just have to go out there and play cricket, be relaxed and play the game the way it is supposed to be played, because cricket is not a new game to me," said the former Aabuthnott Gallimore and Holmwood Tech-nical student.

It was almost two years ago in an interview with The Gleaner that Dwyer said: "I want to play for my country. I have been working towards it. Hopefully, this year I could get a look-in at the trials."

The spinner, who took 63 wickets in his very first season in the Rothmans all-island competition, remembers the moment and was just as excited when he received the call about his inclusion.

"I was at the passport office when I got the call, and I was so happy because it has been a while, and this is what I have been waiting on for years and it finally comes so I am going to make best use of it," he said.

Dwyer also believes the support of the senior players will help to keep him focused.

"I know them (players) and even though I wasn't playing for Jamaica, they always motivate me, so I know they are going to motivate me a lot," added Dwyer, who has been bowling well over the years and was the top wicket-taker in the 2005 Super Cup with 56 wickets, including a match haul of 14 in the final against the Jamaica Defence Force.

During last year's Super Cup, he conceded 652 runs off 270.3 overs at an economy rate of 2.41, while this year he conceded 645 runs off 221 overs at 2.91.

"I am looking forward for their support because they have been there already and done that. I just hope they can stand by my side and help me throughout."

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.