Pleased with his wicketkeeping…
Ramdin wants batting to improve

THURSDAY  MAY 29, St. John’s, Antigua  – West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh

Ramdin says that he is extremely pleased with his wicketkeeping going into the

Second Digicel Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium but he said that he is

looking to improve on his batting performances.

Denesh Ramdin cuts Stuart MacGill - (Brooks La Touche Photography)

"I'm pretty confident with my glove work, I've been working really hard prior to

the First Digicel Test, my batting has been there or thereabouts. I need to spend

a couple overs getting a start," Ramdin said in an interview exclusively with

DigicelCricket.com.

Ramdin credited assistant coach David Williams, the former West Indies

wicketkeeper, for assisting him with his pre-series preparations.

"I did a lot of work with David Williams at the preparatory camp in Antigua. I did

a lot of diving, a lot of lateral movement and took a lot of catches from a lot of

edges. He had me working really hard on my keeping, so it is for my batting to

come along now and going into the Second Digicel Test I need to spend time at

the crease which is important," the 23-year-old gloveman said.

Denesh Ramdin drives Brett Lee - (Brooks La Touche Photography)

He felt that he needed to bat by the session, first looking to last for one session

then a second and then go on to get a big score. Ramdin has featured in 25 Test

matches since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2005 and has been the

regular West Indies Test wicketkeeper since. The slimly built wicketkeeper has a

highest score of 71 against Australia in Hobart in his debut year. He has hit five

half centuries while looking for his maiden Test hundred and has taken 74

catches and has effected 2 stumpings.

A former West Indies Under 19 captain, Ramdin's batting average is still in the

low twenties (22.52). His last half century was an impressive 60 against England

in May last year at Lord's.

He said that confidence is the hallmark of his usually positive batting.

"I am a confident player, I always like to go out there and do well for my team,

my country and myself. I have to go out there, do the basics, enjoy it and at the

end of the day I should get a good score," Ramdin asserted.

Reflecting on his performances in the First Digicel Test at Sabina Park which the

West Indies lost by 95 runs, Ramdin said he needs to be more consistent with

the bat.

"I didn't do well in the first innings but in the second innings I started off a bit

shaky then I got in and everything looked smooth but then there was a little bit

of complacency and I got run out," Ramdin said.

He failed to score in the first innings but made a top score of 36 in the second

innings as he led the West Indies batting as they chased 287 for victory. The

right hander added 67 for the seventh wicket with all rounder Darren Sammy

(35) but was run out with the score on 149 for 7 while going for a sharp single

and the West Indies folded for 191.

The Trinidadian said he and Saint Lucian Sammy were working together to target

some of the weaker Australian bowlers as their built their partnership.

"We were trying to target certain bowlers and we were doing that quite well,

and we put Australia on the back foot with a 67-run partnership, and they had to

resort to the strike bowlers to come back and get a wicket. But it was

unfortunate that I got run out at that stage," Ramdin recalled.

Finally, he said that he is delighted with the return to the West Indies team of

captain Chris Gayle and fast bowler Jerome Taylor.

"Those two guys are world-class players. Chris is important at the top of the

order to give us a start, and Jerome is crucial with the new ball to get early

breakthroughs; they are match winning players," Ramdin said. (COURTESY-:

digicelcricket.com)