WORMSLEY, England, CMC – Promising Windward Islands batsman Andre Fletcher said yesterday he was anxiously looking forward to the ICC World Twenty20 Championship starting next week.
He was speaking following his sparkling 42 for West Indies that enabled the regional side to beat Scotland by 14 runs in an unofficial warm-up match at the John Paul Getty Ground.
“I’m quite excited about getting the chance to perform on the world stage,” said the 21-year old batsman who has played two Twenty20 Internationals to date.
“It will be a big tournament and we have the kind of players who can make a great impact.”
Fletcher cracked his 42 off 34 balls with six fours and a six at the top of the innings and added 39 for the second wicket with Shiv Chanderpaul (28), as West Indies reached 143 for six after being sent in.
The top score came from all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, however, who gave the innings a frenetic finish with an unbeaten 51 from just 30 balls with two fours and three sixes.
Fletcher, who was called up to the West Indies squad specifically for the T20 tournament, said he was pleased to be in the set up again and felt fresh and in good form.
“It is always good to be in the West Indies team and I’m just happy to make a contribution,” said Fletcher, who joined the squad on Wednesday.
“It was my role to give the innings a good start and I was able to do that. I have been getting good preparation playing in Jamaica so I came here with some form.
“Today I decided to play my shots and back myself and I felt good … quite comfortable and relaxed.”
West Indies will play a second unofficial warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday before turning their attention to the official warm-up fixtures against Ireland at the Oval on June 2 and England at Lord’s on June 3.
The regional side are preparing for their campaign in the World Twenty20 Championship where they clash with Australia and Sri Lanka in their two preliminary round matches.
