ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Attacking right-hander Sunil Ambris says he is not taking his call-up to the West Indies side for granted and will be looking to prove his worth in the five-match series against India.
The 24-year-old was one of two uncapped players included in the Windies squad for the remaining three One-Day Internationals, with West Indies A batsman Kyle Hope also picked in the 13-man unit.
“I’m delighted. This is all the hard work that I’ve been putting in which is paying off,” Vincentian Ambris said here yesterday.
“This is not the end of the road, I have to come here and perform. When I got the call I was stunned as it is basically my childhood dream to play for West Indies and it is something I have been working hard towards.”
He earned his selection based on his heavy scoring in both the first class championship and the Regional Super50 where he was among the leading scorers.
His 423 runs at an average of 70 with six half-centuries for Windward Islands Volcanoes in the Super50 was one of the stand-out performances.
He also made his mark in the four-day tournament with 608 runs at an average of 43. His scintillating 231 against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at an amazing strike rate of 90, was also one of the performances of the season.
“I’d class myself as an attacking batsman but of late I like to take my time and get in, bat some balls and then I can play all of my shots,” Ambris explained.
He added: “That double [century] came in quick time too but at the start I had to take time and play myself in but it’s not that I changed the way I batted much. I took my time in the 50-overs, waited on the bad balls [and it’s the] same thing I did in the four-day.”
The island of St Vincent is more known for its fast bowing stock, having produced West Indies players like Winston Davis, Ian Allen, Cameron Cuffy and Nixon McLean.
Ambris said bucking this trend was an important achievement for the tiny country.
“I’m very proud indeed [to be from St Vincent],” he stressed.
“I think there are only one or two batsmen from St Vincent who have made the team before so it’s indeed a pleasure as a batsman making the team.”
Ambris is still relatively new to regional competition, having has played just 35 first class games and 20 List A since his debut three years ago.
However, he said settling in with the squad had been a seamless experience as he was quite familiar with most of the players.
“I’m quite comfortable. I know everybody. [I’ve] played against if not with most of the guys. It’s been easy.”
West Indies face India in the third ODI at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground tomorrow before clashing again in the fourth match at the same venue two days later.
They trail 0-1 in the series following their 105-run defeat in the second ODI in Port of Spain last Sunday.
The first game, also at Queen’s Park Oval, was abandoned as a no-result because of rain.
