BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Dwayne Smith said he felt his career, particularly in the Twenty20 format, was moving in the right direction following his outstanding form for Barbados in recent matches.
The 28-year-old all-rounder followed up a solid performance in a quadrangular preparatory series prior to the Caribbean T20 with two solid innings in the regional tournament, propelling Barbados to the top of the standings in Group-B.
Smith topped off his rich vein of form with an enterprising 86 to set Barbados up for a 62-run victory over Jamaica in their second match in the CT20 last Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
“Looking at my game in the last few months, I would have to say I’m mentally tougher than at any other stage in my career,” he said.
“I’m a lot smarter and I don’t go chasing runs. Before, when I batted in the middle, I had to come in and look to push from the get-go. I always tell myself ‘not to get out’ and leave it for the others. I take it upon myself to do the job for the team.”
Smith said he relished his new role in the national team of opening the batting since it afforded him a better opportunity to pace himself.
“I took the opportunity to move up to the top of the order and that has given me the chance to get myself in and then look for the big shots later on,” he said.
“This has worked really well for me.
I like to go in when the ball is hard and coming onto the bat.”
He added: “I know I have the ability to clear the boundaries, so once I am patient and smart at the beginning (of the innings), I can make up at the back end. Twenty overs equal 120 balls – that’s a lot of time if you play it smart.
“I still have a lot more improvement to do, there is still a long way to go for me, but I have been working very closely with Emmerson Trotman, our batting coach. That has worked very well for me. . .He is doing a very good job. This Barbados team is up for it this year.”
Going into this week’s second phase of the tournament, Smith is the leading batsman with 135 runs, having scored 49 in the opening game against the Netherlands, and said he was eagerly looking forward to playing in front of home fans at the historic Kensington Oval.
Ultimately, Smith hoped he can continue to score heavily in the tournament and drive Barbados to their first ever regional T20 title – and a chance to play in the prestigious Champions League T20, which also offers lucrative rewards.
“I have never seen a Barbados team like this – so focused and full of confidence,” he said. “We aim to keep it up and go all the way.”
Barbados face English county side Sussex today in their next match before finishing the preliminary competition against Combined Campuses & Colleges on Friday.
