Krishmar Santokie, the Jamaican left-arm seam bowler, has scoffed at suggestions that the team’s defeat against the Jamaica Tallwahs in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) might have been because the team underperformed.
“We played our hearts out, said the Jamaican left arm pacer who was adjudged the player of the tournament.
“The game of 20/20 is high pressure and can change in a few balls,” added Santokie.
He also praised his team for their performance in the inaugural tournament where they lost only three matches in the entire tournament.
In the final against the Jamaica Tallwahs, the Warriors suffered a seven wicket defeat, and that defeat and the decision to change the batting line up has led to a number of speculations about the match.
Now that he has made such an impact in the shortest version of the game Santokie is eager to show the selectors and the World that he can be just as competent in the other two versions.
During an exclusive interview on Sunday with Stabroek Sport, the 28-year-old pointed out that he is usually considered as a specialist 20/20 bowler but added that he was very interested in playing in the other two formats, ODI’s and the longest version of the game test cricket.
“I’m open to play any form whether it’s ODI or four-day. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much opportunity to play for my country since my good showing at the 2011/2012 Regional Super50 tournament but everything happens for a reason,” he said.
Santokie ended the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL competition as the leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets at an average of 13.68. He has applauded the entire concept of the LCPL.
The medium-pacer, who made his International T20 debut for the West Indies against England back in 2011, said the LCPL was also called the second IPL.
“It was a very good tournament that allowed young players the opportunity to play cricket on a high stage,” he said.
The competition witnessed masses of cricket lovers from the various participating countries showing their support for the tournament which organisers nicknamed “The biggest party of the summer.”
Santokie lauded the fans for their support saying:”The turnout was excellent and the fan support was brilliant.”
He also noted that the competition allowed players….”to meet different players and learn from them.”
When asked about his proudest personal moments of the LCPL, the bowler pinpointed his two encounters against his native country’s team, the Jamaican Tallawahs as his highlights.
”The two games against Jamaica were pressure games. Bowling to the most dangerous T20 batsman in the world, Chris Gayle and picking up five wickets in the two encounters were my proudest moments,” he said.
Santokie has expressed his gratitude to the Guyanese people who he said “showed a lot of love.
“Guyana is definitely my second home. The people are easy-going and kind. They showed me a lot of love and accepted me,” he declared.
“You need people to look out for you whether you are performing good or bad.”
The swing bowler also thanked the local organisers for last weekend’s two warm-up matches played at the Guyana National Stadium between Guyana and Regional T20 champions, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, who he said saw the need for him to come back after the LCP to once again represent Guyana.
Santokie, who returned to Jamaica yesterday, said now that the door is open he will take a week to relax and then continue training.
He explained that he will be concentrating on strength work and will be making himself available for the upcoming season of regional cricket and a possible West Indies recall.