Fresh off an unbeaten century in the second warm up match, wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva is ready for whatever role is required of him.
“Anywhere I’m needed, I’m ready to take up the role,” he said at the regular virtual press conference hosted by the West Indies at the end of the second day of their four-day match.
Unbeaten on 60 overnight Da Silva continued from where he left off on the first day to close unbeaten on 133 from 249 balls.
“I opened last season for majority of the matches in first-class and a couple of the matches as well so it’s nothing I’m not accustomed to,” the 22-year-old right hander said on the subject of his batting position.
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force batsman, who is part of the reserve players on tour to England admitted he was not in control of what happens and that he was not thinking too much of the possibility of a Test debut.
“I’m just batting. It’s not in my control whatever happens, happens. I’m just here to play cricket and be with the team. I’m not thinking too much about it,” he opined.
He did say that if the opportunity presented itself he would grab it with both hands.
“Oh definitely any opportunity I get I will be ready to take it,” he said.
Reflecting on his performance in the final practice match Da Silva said, “I’m riding the wave, I don’t want it to end. Hopefully it keeps going on and on. I’m just batting as I know and trying to keep the scores coming.”
The West Indies Emerging player also spoke of his innings.
“It wasn’t that difficult for me at least. I’ve been doing a lot of work with coach [Floyd] Reifer,” he said adding, “I think a lot of the guys gave away their wickets easily,” since the next best score was just 25.
Da Silva also spoke a bit of the pitch.
“The wicket had a bit in it, it was a bit slow, it was a bit two-paced at times and the ball was moving around at times also so it wasn’t a whole lot difficult, in spurts it was quite difficult and the guys bowled well and I just backed myself.”
“It was a great feeling…every hundred is an awesome feeling to me to reach the milestone, yes it was a practice match but I was just happy to do it for the team and be the anchor,” he said of scoring the lone century of the tour so far.
