Guyanese Travis Dowlin and Royston Crandon both have said that they are overjoyed at their recent selection to the West Indies team for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.
But it was the 26-year-old Crandon who was more excited since it is his first West Indies team selection, something he says is the highlight of his cricketing career.
The Berbician batting all-rounder speaking with Stabroek Sport on Tuesday said that he felt his selection to the team was a just reward for his performance at this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s Cup where he scored over 500 runs, including an unbeaten 136 against Barbados.
“Right now I’m very happy for this selection because this is a lifelong dream coming through and I intend to make full use of it. For me I know that I played really hard for it and I think I couldn’t ask for a better reward,” Crandon said.
Asked how he thinks he would match against some of the more seasoned players and some of the world’s top players, Crandon said, “This is cricket you know and anything can happen once you put your mind to it. We all would be playing the same game so I think I would groove in well against them.”
With West Indies in turmoil at present, many cricketing pundits believe that the team is depleted but Crandon thinks otherwise, stating that there is nothing like a depleted cricket team since it’s a game of glorious uncertainties.
“I don’t think that my team is weak in any way or nothing, I think that it’s a good squad and all
the players love the game and will put their best foot forward. For me I know I would go out and play my natural game and that would speak for itself, but I don’t think my team is weak, this is cricket and anything can happen,” the Berbician declared.
Crandon made his first class cricket debut in 2007 against Trinidad and Tobago and has been a regular fixture on the Guyanese squad ever since.
He has played 13 first class matches to date and is effective with both bat and ball. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club team member has an average of 30.5 runs, scoring a total of 673 runs from 13 matches and 25 innings.
Meanwhile Dowlin would be making his second showing sporting the maroon cap after debuting in the Digicel series against Bangladesh last month.
Dowlin played the three one-day internationals (ODIs) against the Tigers, scoring a total of 148 runs with an average of 74 runs.
The 32-year-old middle order batsman had his crowning moment in the second ODI when he slashed his way to an even unbeaten century but in a losing cause since the Windies were whitewashed in the series.
Dowlin said that the selection did come as a bit of a surprise for him although he thinks he had a reasonable outing the first time out on the field but this time around, he would be aiming for higher achievements.
“Being selected for the Champions Trophy is an unexplainable feeling and I think we have a well put together team. My returns have been good the last time and I think I have improved on some parts of my game but I will be looking to work on my weaknesses in time for the tour to South Africa,” Dowlin said.
On his team’s chances of success, Dowlin like Crandon said: “This is cricket and everyone is going out there to win and I’m certain that the guys would apply themselves well for us to do well. I’m not going to commit myself but I’ll say that I think we stand a good chance.”
Dowlin and Crandon are expected to join the rest of the Windies players for a training camp in Barbados next weekend before winging off to South Africa for the tournament where they would play their first match against Pakistan on September 23.
The full West Indies squad reads: Floyd Reifer (captain), Darren Sammy (vice captain), Travis Dowlin, Royston Crandon, David Bernard, Tino Best, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Darren Powell, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge and Chadwick Walton.
