DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC- High Performance centre’s opening batsman Andre Fletcher says his desire to regain his place on the senior West Indies squad is the driving force behind his recent batting success.
Fletcher top scored with 51 in the HPC team’s second match against Bangladesh A, currently underway, after scoring a century in the opening tour match against Bangladesh Cricket Academy last week.
He and his teammates have been following the senior side at the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament in nearby Sri Lanka – and this has helped to fuel Fletcher’s desire on the trip.
“I am very eager to get back into the mix-up with the senior West Indies squad,” said Fletcher.
“I am working very hard. I know it will be tough, but I am prepared to put in the long, hard yards and with the grace of God, everything will fall into place. I will get back onto the big stage and get a chance to showcase my talent once again.”
Fletcher was a member of the senior West Indies side that took part in the last two ICC World Twenty20 Tournaments in England three years ago and the following year in the Caribbean.
He says he has benefitted from the three months already spent at the High Performance Centre and has learnt to identify his strengths and how to use them to his advantage.
“I have been working on a number of my technical flaws at the Sagicor HPC and so far things have been working out for me. I am also preparing myself mentally for the challenge and I have been getting my confidence back, and it has been showing in these two matches”said Fletcher.
“I have also come to grips with my weaknesses – how to counter them, how to have a game plan. These are some of the things that I have been putting into practice in the two matches that we have played and it was worked for me.”
The Grenadian batsman, opening the HPC innings, led the way with 51, but Enamul Haque Jr undermined the visitors’ batting with 7-45 from 18.5 overs of left-arm spin, as the visitors crumbled to 147 all out, replying to Bangladesh A’s first innings total of 199.
The HPC then restricted the A-Team to 88 for three in their second innings – an overall lead of 140 – before stumps were drawn on the second day of the four-day match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
Fletcher conceded that he and his teammates were not patient enough against the Bangladesh-A spinners and this was principally responsible for their downfall.
“Though the pitch was not at its best, we should have dug in more and be more patient. But that’s the game sometimes” he said.
“It’s not a fast pitch and there is a lot of turn for the spinners, and from the first day, it was cracking up, but we needed to change our approach and wait for the bad balls.”
Fletcher said though Bangladesh-A appeared to have the upper hand he believes HPC can transform their fortunes and win the match.
“We need to bowl well and try not to let them get a lead of over 250,” he said.
“I think anything below this will be gettable, once we apply ourselves and be patient. There is a lot of time left in the match and the runs will come.”
