National opener Rajendra Chandrika said yesterday that it was an honor to be selected for the West Indies Test Team for the upcoming home series against Australia adding that he planned to make the fullest use of the opportunity.
Chandrika, during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports yesterday was in high
spirits following the West Indies Cricket Board’s announcement of their final 14 which featured the uncapped pair of the Guyanese and fellow President’s XI teammate, Shane Dowrich.
“I was in Antigua playing the President XI game when one of the selectors was there and after the game he told me,” said the right-hander who explained how he found out about his selection.
The Guyana Jaguars opener cracked five half-centuries in last season’s Professional Cricket League four-day tournament which earned him a spot on the President’s XI team which played against the touring Aussies in a three-day tour match which ended Friday.
The WICB President’s XI managed to secure a draw and Chandrika set the tone in the first innings with a classy 132-ball 74 with 11 fours, further pressing a strong case for his Test call up.
When asked about his thoughts on the call up, the 25 year-old said, “It’s one of the greatest formats of cricket which I always wanted to play and that’s test cricket. It’s a great feeling and an honour to be in the Test playing and it will be more special if I get to play.”
The stylish opener said he was “Very upset” after missing out on a possible century in the first innings of the tour match but designated his knock as “ Very special innings” and one “Which I can’t forget”.
Concluding his interview, Chandrika said once he does find himself in the starting eleven he will take it from there. “I will try to get a good start, get a good score because I really want to make it count”.
