PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel says motivation is key to remaining focussed during the current lockdown caused by the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“It can be frustrating, preparing and training and not knowing when you will be playing again,” he told the Express newspaper here.
“Everyone wants to go out and play. For me, some days are different. Some days you are upbeat for training and other days, you have to find some way to motivate yourself to put in the work and effort.
“My family keeps me motivated and [strength and conditioning coach] Ronald (Rogers) also keeps me on track, and I know that at some point in time the work will pay off so it is just to keep at it and be persistent.”
The 32-year-old has not played a competitive match in nearly eight months as he recovers from ankle surgery last November.
He was hoping to be available in the late stages of the domestic first class championship but the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of the last two rounds of the 10-round competition.
Gabriel, who has snatched 133 wickets from 45 Tests, said the absence of competitive matches would afford him even more time to become fitter.
“I have also been doing some band-work and some stuff in the pool as well and some resistance training, and I am also doing some work with Ronald at the moment,” he explained.
“It is not really a setback. Although I wanted to play [first-class championship], I now have some more time so I will not have to rush myself back to play. It gives me more time to recover and more time to ensure I am fit and ready for the next opportunity, whenever that comes.”
He continued: “Right now, I am just trying to keep myself ready and try to give myself the best opportunity to perform, so I’m just trying to stay ready mentally and physically.
“The opportunity will come to play cricket again, whether it is for West Indies or club cricket so you just have to be prepared for that call.”
Gabriel has emerged as one of the linchpins of the West Indies pace attack in recent times, forming a formidable combination with captain Jason Holder and Kemar Roach.
The Trinidadian is currently ranked 19th in the ICC charts to be one of three Caribbean speedsters in the world top 20 along with Holder (3rd) and Roach (11th).
