GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – West Indies batsman Assad Fudadin says lack of focus cost him dearly during the recent regional first class season but says the upcoming West Indies A series against Sri Lanka will be ideal opportunity to redeem himself.
The left-hander, who has played three Tests, gathered just 289 runs from 12 innings with a highest score of 87. In five Super50 innings, the 27-year-old managed just 85 runs at an average of 21.
“To be honest, I think I did everything [that I could] during the season to be successful,” said Fudadin.
“I trained hard. I practised hard. I looked up bowlers. I prepared well for the season. I focussed a lot on the game. But it just did not happen for me during the regional season and I kept finding a way to get out.”
He continued: “I’ve spent a few weeks home alone and I had a chance to sit back, relax and review the season – and I think it simply came down to a lack of focus for me.
“I thought going into the regional season that I was focussed, but it is clear to me that maybe I was not enough on the job.”
Fudadin has been named in the 13-man West Indies A squad which takes on Sri Lanka A in two “Tests”, three one-day matches and two Twenty20s from June 5-27.
The side will be led by Test discard Kirk Edwards and includes the likes of out-of-favour opener Kraigg Brathwaite, Narsingh Deonarine along with speedster Shannon Gabriel and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.
Fudadin, who made his Test debut on last year’s tour of England, said he would be focussing on spending long periods at the crease during the upcoming series.
“I just want to bat. I don’t want to set myself goals in terms of runs anymore – about getting 100 or 200 runs in a game,” he explained.
“My new approach will be to think about batting for a day or two sessions or for a period and constantly reset the mark at breaks in the game.
“Previously, when I tried to set my goals in terms of runs, it did not work for me and I put myself under too much pressure, so I am going to try this new approach and I am going to be changing up a few things.”
