Ramdin's wait is over
Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin will return to West Indies colours today after a break of more than a year. The practice match against the BCB XI will be his first since he was dropped for poor form after the home series against South Africa in June last year.
A regular face since his debut in 2005, Ramdin got into trouble when he made just 97 runs in Tests and ODIs against the Proteas, losing his place to Carlton Baugh for the tour of Sri Lanka later that year and was also cut from the West Indies' central contract list.
It was an ordinary time and it presumably changed after he spent time with the legendary Gordon Greenidge, courtesy of the Trinidad & Tobago board, honing his batting technique.
The Couva native fought back to win a spot in the West Indies side with runs in the domestic competitions, making 460 at an average of 41.81 with a century in eight games. He was also the best wicketkeeper in the competition with 27 dismissals.
"I was not getting runs. I went back to the domestic league. I got some runs and worked on specific areas. At the beginning of my innings I was getting out and I worked on that," said Ramdin after training at the Academy ground in Mirpur.
The wicketkeeper, who arrived here on Wednesday, was playing in the Champions League Twenty20 for Trinidad & Tobago in India and only got on the flight after the island nation was eliminated from the group stages of the competition.
At training yesterday, Ramdin was one of the few who didn't seem to mind the oppressive humidity, the sort of conditions he believes will be a big ask for the fast bowlers. "I think it will be a challenge for the fast bowlers in the hot conditions. So far they have coped well, though they just came in two days ago," he said.
Apart from the heat, he also said that there are challenges to keep places in the team, a factor he will be facing during this series.
"It's not only for me, but for all the guys in the team as everyone is fighting for a place. Each one of us works hard to get better and it's good for the team as it makes it a stronger unit," said Ramdin.
The West Indies have used five wicketkeepers (Baugh, Devon Thomas and Derwin Christian sharing the majority of the load with Lendl Simmons and Andre Fletcher keeping in a few games) between the time Ramdin was dropped and now.
Ramdin has often demonstrated nimbleness while keeping to spinners and with the Caribbeans keeping two leg-spinners in the mix, it will keep the T&T man busy.
"Back home there is a chance for me to keep to spinners as there are lots of spinners, so no problem keeping to them.
"Young Bishoo came in at international level [last year] and he has done well so far. I think the pitches out there will suit him," said Ramdin.
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