Put it down to hard work and the right mental approach.
Guyana Jaguars leading run scorer Narsingh Deonarine is convinced that hard work and mental strength are responsible for his success so far in the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, Deonarine said that he is seeking to maintain his all-round form for the remainder of the Regional season as he hopes to steer the national side to title wins in both formats as well as making the final cut for the West Indies team ahead of the 2015 World Cup. Speaking with Stabroek Sports after the Jaguars first day of practice at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground following the break from the first leg of the WICB PCL 4-day tournaments, the left-hander opened up about his current form, last season’s woes, the Jaguars chances in the upcoming Regional fixtures and his hunger to once again the represent the West Indies.
The Berbice born player who has 18 Test and 29 ODI caps, was recently named in the 30-man West Indies squad along with his teammates in former West Indian left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and current Test/ODI batsman Leon Johnson as the Caribbean team seeks to find the right balance ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
“After the last four games making runs and taking wickets gave me confidence,” said Deonarine.
He expressed delight in being selected in the provisional West Indies 30-man squad, admitting that he needed to maintain his form during next month’s Super 50 tournament and the restart of the four-day competition in February as they are key requirements for placing himself in contention to possibly make the final 15-man squad.
Speaking about form, the discarded West Indies middle-order player had the worst season of his first-class career when he recorded five consecutive ducks in the four-dayers following his return from the West Indies series against New Zealand back in December last year, but returned with a bang as he notched up two centuries and 306 runs from the four games played so far with an average of 61.20 in addition to useful off-spin which has so far yielded nine wickets in this year’s four-day tourney.
“Coming back from the West Indies tour of New Zealand my performance was not up to standard. I’ve been under a lot of pressure but this season I was more patient, mentally and physically this season, but the mental strength was definitely the key to my success.”
The Guyana Jaguars currently sit on the top of the points table with 57 points and Deonarine lauded the team’s hunger and performance exhibited throughout the past few weeks.
“Leading up to the tournament we had a camp and we worked hard. I along with the team had been training very hard and what we practiced we applied in our games.
“All-round we have clicked with our bowling and batting, I don’t think we can ask for anymore,” he added.
On the topic of his team’s chances of winning next month’s Regional Super 50 or even maintain their current four-day form and clinch the title when the longer format resumes, the 31-year-old believes that his team can go all the way and proudly lift the respective trophies.
“We’ve been playing well in the four-day format so far and we always do well in the ODI’s and T20’s over the years so I think consistency is the key for us going forward.”
