Ex West Indies batsman Leon Johnson say his ‘A’ team recall is like a breath of fresh air as he looks to put his best performances forward when the West Indies ‘A’ take on the touring Sri Lanka ‘A’ in two Tests, three ODIs and two T20s starting June 5 at Warner Park in St. Kitts.
At 16-years of age Johnson made his first-class debut for Guyana playing two matches that season but waited four years for his next opportunity which came when he was named captain of the West Indies to the Under-19 World Cup in 2005-06.
Upon his return to the Guyana line-up in 2007-08, Johnson had a solid Carib Beer Series scoring 427 runs at an average of 42.70. His form prompted the West Indies selectors to choose him for the ODI tri-series in Canada later that year. He impressed with a half-century in his second match. He later earned a call-up to the Test squad to New Zealand.
In this year’s Regional tournament, in the four-day format Johnson scored 430 runs from six games, averaging 35.83. His top score of 87 came against Trinidad and Tobago. He also chalked up 204 runs from six matches at an average of 34.00 with one half-century, a top score of 52 against the Windward Islands.
Stabroek Sport caught up with the 25-year-old left hander yesterday.
“I hope to take my good run from during the Regional tournament into this tour; my intentions are to go out there and play sensibly and score a hundred or two.”
Johnson also confirmed that he was in peak condition.
“I’m a hundred percent fit. I spend a lot of time in the gym, any niggles or pains are gone thanks to the rest I received after the Regional competitions concluded, that played a crucial role in my current fitness,” he added.
When asked about his current form Johnson stated that since the regional tournaments ended he only competed in his “whites” once in a match against the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) in which he made 70 not out.
A part time leg break bowler Johnson was questioned about the possibility of him producing a bit of magic with the ball and jokingly replied.”If I’m called upon to do a job with the ball I will, but I’m not worried too much about that.”
As for his intentions heading into the tour the left hander said:”I just want to play at my best, get a few good scores and hopefully get a call up to the West Indies senior team for the upcoming triangular series.”
He said that he is also interested in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League saying: “I am also looking forward to the CPL; hopefully I get selected by one of the franchises so I can be a part of that historical event.”
The other Guyanese players that will accompany Johnson are, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin and the team’s vice captain Veerasammy Permaul.
The West Indies ‘A’ Team squad reads: Kirk Edwards (capt), Veerasammy Permaul (vice-capt), Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cotterrell, Miguel Cummins, Narsingh Deonarine,, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Leon Johnson, Nikita Miller, Chadwick Walton and Kraigg Brathwaite.
