“I’m confident … I have worked hard and I’m prepared. I performed well in the Champions League in India for Trinidad and Tobago and I’m looking to continue,” the 19-year-old yesterday.
“All I want is the opportunity to get out there and show what I am made of. I am a player who can adapt to foreign conditions. I will play it as I see it.”
The right-hander stands a mere five-feet, four-inches but has already given more than enough proof of his ability. He slammed an attractive 132 for West Indies ‘A’ when England toured the Caribbean earlier this year and has also scored heavily in the regional domestic tournaments.
The tour is Barath’s debut one for West Indies after being picked for the Bangladesh tour in July but subsequently making himself unavailable as part of a players strike.
“It is an honour to be part of the West Indies team,” Barath said.
“This is something I have been waiting for since I started playing cricket as a little boy. This is a privilege.”
Barath has been spending plenty time in the nets and has been seeking advice from his more experienced team-mates and members of the coaching staff.
He has also been spending time with Brendan Nash, who played most of his first-class cricket for Queensland before re-locating to Jamaica two years ago and he praised the left-handed middle-order batsman for his help.
“Everyone has been extremely helpful and I feel very comfortable. He (Nash) has been a great help,” Barath said.
“He has experience here in Australia and he has offered me a lot of advice on the conditions here in Australia. It is always good to sit and listen to people who have been there before.”
Barath will hope to be part of the final XI for the West Indies’ four-day match against Queensland starting Wednesday (Tuesday night, Caribbean Time).
Yesterday, Barath and his teammates were put through another intense training session on another scorching day at the Allan Border Field, in the suburb of Albion.
They are expected to undergo another session today afternoon at the same venue, ahead of tomorrow’s match.
The first Test is scheduled for the Gabba from November 26-30.
