Although rated among the top three batting performers for West Indies during their recent tour of South Africa, Leon Johnson does not describe his performance against the world’s number one ranked Test team as moderate but quickly added he needs to work harder to improve his game.
The top order batsman recorded 168 runs at an average of 33.3. “Overall I don’t think my performance was moderate” the 27 year old said in an interview with this publication after returning home on Saturday.
“During the Tests, four out of five innings I managed to past 30 and on one occasion I got to fifty but never followed through to get a big score”,
According to Johnson, his innings were cut short on several occasions because of his shot selections. “My shot selection let me down several times, causing me to be dismissed and not being able to record a big score. I was dismissed on some occasions playing at balls that I should have left alone”, he said.
Facing up to world rated bowlers like Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel was no easy task, however, the left handed batsman told Stabroek News, “my thought process remained the same throughout regardless who was bowling, I assess the conditions and watch the ball for as long as possible, however, like any other bowlers they provided chances for me to score. It was just the matter of batting long enough to get those opportunities.”
Regarding his performance in the ODIs, Johnson said whilst chasing the mammoth totals he never gave himself a chance to settle which led to his demise.
Johnson is scheduled to captain the Guyana Jaguars when they take on Jamaica later today at Sabina Park and the former West Indies youth captain said he will be using this match along with the other Professional Cricket League (PCL) matches to develop his game.
“Obviously during the tour there were positives, it’s just building on those through hard work as I seek to improve my game. As I plan to do during the first class season.”
The talented Johnson whose potential was hailed by the commentators during the recent tour, has several first-class matches to impress the selectors to gain a spot in the West Indies side for their upcoming home series against England.
