(WICB) Leicester, England – Assad Fudadin said his first trip overseas with the West Indies team has been an eye-opening experience.
The uncapped 26-year-old left-handed batsman from Guyana is yet to play a match on the tour, but he welcomed the opportunity to be part of the side, and said he was willing to work hard to earn a permanent place.
“It’s been an honour for me to be here,” he said. “All of my years playing cricket, I have dreamt of this coming true. So far, I have really learnt a lot.
“The vibes and the team spirit are very good. I am gelling with the other players and they are making me feel welcomed.
He added: “All in all, it has been a meaningful experience and I have grasped quite a bit about international cricket from being here so far.
“Now that I have been involved, I do not want to go backwards. I want to progress from here. I just want to keep a positive frame of mind and positive thinking, everything I do I just want to remain positive.”
Fudadin said one of the major benefits from being on the trip has been the work he has been doing trying to refine his technique, making it impregnable.
“As batsman, you have to do a lot of work on your technique, when you are in England because the ball does so much over here,” he said.
“I played four seasons in the leagues here and that experience was helpful for my cricket overall. It taught me about responsibility. As a professional, most of the workload normally falls on your shoulders at a league club, so that taught me how to refine my game and things like it.”
He said: “I did well for the years I played. Three years have past since I have played league cricket here, but I came over with the West Indies A-Team two years ago.
“I have good memories of my previous trips to England and now that I am back, I am trying to implement some of the stuff I learnt now.”
Fudadin was also a member of the West Indies Under-15 side that won the one-off World Challenge for that age group, played here in England about 12 years ago.
He is the latest member of that side to graduate to the senior West Indies side in one form of the game or the other.
He follows current teammates, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul and wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin, as well as batsmen Xavier Marshall and Lendl Simmons, along with left-arm medium-fast bowler Krishmar Santokie.
“I did not get into the West Indies team at the age that I wanted – but I feel everything happens for a reason,” he said.
“It was getting a bit frustrating, but I have to thank my family for their support. Getting married to my wife Akeema and the birth of our son, Adyan, three years ago have coincided with the turnaround in my career.
“It got me to realise the important things in life and I think it rubbed off on my cricket. It was frustrating, but I worked through that period, and I am a stronger person, I’m better for it.”
Fudadin said he was realistic about his chances to play on this trip, considering there were players ahead of him that have been doing well for West Indies in recent times.
“It’s my first trip and there are guys that have been performing, which has coincided with a turning point for the team,” he said.
‘We are a lot more competitive. I have waited all of this time to get into the team, so I will remain patient.
“I am not thinking about it in that way. I am thinking about doing what is in front of me, right now. My chance will come and I am willing to wait.”
