Guyana Jaguars batsman Vishaul Singh is eager for another go at the international level.
The diminutive left-hander, who is approaching his 30th birthday, made his test debut against Pakistan in 2017, playing three test matches.
Since then he has been ignored by selectors amidst the Caribbean side’s indifferent batting returns.
While his numbers at the test level are nothing much to shout about, many in his corner have argued that he was dealt a harsh hand and should have been given an extended run since he has been one of the region’s more consistent middle order scorers who showed that he has the right approach to Test cricket.
From eight matches last season, Singh scored 539 runs, with two centuries.
Only Devon Smith (6) and Denesh Ramdin (3) – scored more.
Singh’s average was 49 that season.
The season prior, he scored 317 runs from eight matches.
In 2015/16, however, the year he really shot to prominence, Singh scored 712 runs at an average of 50.85 after 10 games and ended third on the runs aggregate board behind Leon Johnson and Smith. He recorded three centuries the same as Kraigg Braithwaite which were the most that season.
Fast forward to 2018/19, Singh, after two rounds in this season’s Regional four-day league, is already among the top run-getters after scoring 168 runs ahead of England’s forthcoming tour of the Caribbean which begins on January 23 with the first test set for Barbados.
“[I’m] very much keen to represent West Indies again against any opponent,” Singh told Stabroek Sports when asked if he harboured any realistic expectations of playing again at the highest level.
Asked if he has already designed a formula to meet his ambitions, Singh replied: “Well, I can only control what is in my hands, and that is to continue to score runs consistently and leave the rest up to the selectors,” he rightly pointed out.
Freshly etched in the corner of his mind is the escapade of his test debut where he transitioned from batting against the region’s best to having his technique and character tested by the hostility of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riad in tandem with the wrist spin of Yasir Shaw.
“I believe test cricket is self-explanatory…it is a test of every aspect of your game. You have to be on your game at all times because once the match presents opportunities and it is missed, you find yourself behind the eight ball and playing catch up, batting, bowling or fielding,’’ Singh explained.
“The shorter formats allows you a way back in and any one or two players on their day can take a game away but not so with test cricket.”
Having experienced the international landscape and having the runs to show for it at the regional level, blended with the recent indifferent approach by the Windies’ middle order, Singh could be one of West Indies’ options to counter England’s spin duo in Moeen Ali and Jack Leach for the much anticipated, upcoming series.
