ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC- West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin says he has been working overtime with bat and gloves to bolster his preparation for the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe which bowls off at the national stadium here today.
The experienced 27-year-old has been recalled after missing the last two One-Day trips to Bangladesh last December and the ODI series in Australia earlier this month.
“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,” said Ramdin, who has made 94 One-Day appearances for the Windies since his debut in 2005.
“Behind the stumps I worked overtime to make sure that I was fit and ready when the selectors called on me.”
Ramdin 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.
“It’s wonderful to be back in the West Indies One-Day colours and I’m looking to grab this opportunity with both hands,” Ramdin told WICB Media.
“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”.
The Trinidad & Tobago captain says the 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.
“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,” Ramdin 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.”
