Despite playing just one first-class match prior to his test debut, Jayden Seales bagged three wickets and in the process impressed head coach, Phil Simmons and captain, Kraigg Brathwaite in the just-concluded first test against South Africa which ended Saturday.
The Trinidad and Tobago seamer, in his first test against South Africa, bowled with good control and pace, returning 3-75 in the West Indies’ innings and 63-run defeat.
According to Simmons at a recent press conference, it was an exciting experience for West Indies as a whole.
“I think for a 19-year-old making his debut in international cricket especially Test cricket, it was exciting for the West Indies on a whole but I think it was an exceptional debut for someone at such a young age. We saw from the way he bowled the maturity of his as a bowler so hopefully it’s the start of big things to come,” Simmons said.
Like Simmons, Brathwaite was also excited for the future with what was displayed by the pacer as he bowled 21 overs without complaints and most importantly, he kept his pace throughout the spells.
“I think he is something special and obviously he is quite young, he has only played one first-class game and that says a lot and even at practice what he does with the ball and what he says to back it up is quite phenomenal and I think he is definitely one for the future,” Brathwaite said.
He reflected on the limited time he has seen the bowler but believed that from what he saw, the teenager had the ability to project himself further.
Brathwaite stated, “I mean the first time I saw him was when we went to New Zealand and that’s the first time I saw him bowl and I just knew he had a natural length and not all bowlers, I mean obviously a good set do but you could have seen he had that natural length and obviously he swings the ball so I am not surprised with his performance in this game and the future.”