Jerome Taylor has pronounced himself fit, ready, eager and confident that he can cope with the additional duty of spearheading an untested West Indies attack in the first Test against Australia, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday (Wednesday night east Caribbean time).
“I’m fully aware the team will be looking to me to lead the attack and I’m sure I will be able to handle that responsibility,” the 25-year-old Jamaican told the media after pushing himself during a three-hour practice session yesterday.
Taylor was not chosen for the last week’s match against Queensland, the West Indies’ only preparation prior to the three, back-to-back Tests, because of what team officials described as “soreness and stiffness” after the 50-hour flight to Brisbane.
But he has had several testing workouts in the nets over the past five days.
“I’m happy with my build-up,” he said. “Over the coming days I will continue to put in the work to make sure I’m fully ready for what promises to be a very good series.”
In the absence through injury of Fidel Edwards (122 wickets in 43 Tests), Taylor (81 wickets in 28 Tests) is the only one of four fast bowlers in the squad with genuine Test experience.
Kemar Roach, 22, made his debut in two Tests against Bangladesh in July. Ravi Rampaul, 25, and Gavin Tonge, 26, are yet to play a Test.
After inspecting the match pitch and the lush green outfield, Taylor said he raring to go.
“I can’t wait to get out there and bowl. As a fast bowler, that’s my thing … that’s my job and I want to get into action,” he said. “If there is any life in the pitch it is a plus for us because back home in the Caribbean we are accustomed to very flat and low wickets.”
He revealed that the team had been carefully planning strategy.
“We have been looking at footage of the opponents and we know the areas where we need to be strong in, both batting and bowling,” he said. “We have outlined certain things we will be working on.”
He accepted that Australia “have a lot of firepower” but added: “They are beatable.”
“We are conditioned in our minds to go out and put up a good fight and to take it to the Australians,” he stated. “The pressure should not be on us. If we are the underdogs we are not expected to win but we will be going out there to put up a big show. We believe in our ability and we are confident of doing well.”
Taylor said the team was buoyed by the news that captain Chris Gayle was on his way back after flying hime to Kingston to be with his ill mother.
“He is a great player for us and should we have gone down the line of losing him for this Test, it would have been a great loss,” he acknowledged.
“It’s nice to know his mum has recovered and that he is on his way back. Personally, for me it’s great because we are both from Jamaica and I work with him a lot and he is a boost to the players,” Taylor added. (TC)
