HYDERABAD, India, CMC – Fidel Edwards believes the West Indies tour of Australia next month could represent a fresh start for the regional side.
The West Indies fast bowler has recently recovered from a back injury he sustained during the tour of England, and is in India to represent the Deccan Chargers in the Twenty20 Champions League.
But following his recovery, he joined his revolting team-mates, and made himself unavailable for the ICC Champions Trophy which ended on Monday in South Africa.
“We are all very serious about playing and offering our services to [West Indies],” Edwards told the ESPN-Star website.
“Hope it will be a new start for all of us and also hope things will become normal. We all have to perform because everyone is waiting for the opportunities to come back into the team.”
Edwards acknowledged it had been frustrating for him and the other players watching the depleted West Indies side in recent months.
”It has really been pretty disappointing indeed. But again you have to take that day-by-day,” he said.
“Personally, I am trying to get back. I was injured in England and have been working hard on my fitness. Probably, it would really been more frustrating for others than me, since I have been plagued by injuries.
“We have not played since our home series against India. We are all eagerly waiting [a resolution].”
Edwards praised fellow fast bowler Kemar Roach for taking his chance and performing in the depleted side.
“[Kemar] is a very good fast bowler,” he said. “I know him personally because we have played together for Barbados and with the A-Team.
“He is very quick and on his day he is really difficult to face.”
But Edwards is placing his full attention on helping the Chargers to win the inaugural Champions League which features the winning first-class teams from all the major Test-playing nations.
“It is very important for me as it is for many others,” he said. “A good tournament I reckon will test everyone’s abilities.
”We are very confident as a team. We shall be certainly hoping for some good starts. A lot of good teams are taking part and that will make this tourney very interesting and exciting, I believe.”
Edwards also reckons that Trinidad & Tobago – the reigning West Indies Twenty20 champions – will acquit themselves well in the competition.
The Chargers meet T&T in their final group match on Wednesday next week.
“I personally believe they hold a pretty good chance in this version of the game,” he said.
“In fact, they have done well in the last two to three years back home in domestic cricket. I am sure they must be equally eager to play in India as others.
“They cannot be taken for granted. They can really produce some good entertaining cricket.”
Deccan Chargers have a formidable line-up. They are led by Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, and include his former teammate Andrew Symonds, as well as Indian stars Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman, RP Singh, along with Sri Lanka fast bowling legend Chaminda Vaas and New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris.
