Port-of-Spain, Trinidad — Sulieman Benn is feeling refreshed and ready as he prepares for a return to West Indies colours. The tall left-arm spinner has been named in the West Indies A Team for this weekend’s Digicel Twenty20 Series against India A at Queen’s Park Oval.
The 30-year-old is the most experienced player in the West Indies 13-man squad. He has taken 51 wickets in 17 Test matches, 29 wickets in 25 One-Day Internationals and 15 wickets in 17 T20 Internationals. He made his first-class debut 12 years ago for Barbados and first played at the international level in 2008 against Sri Lanka.
Been looked eager and enthusiastic during the Windies’ training sessions on Thursday night, under lights, and in the scorching heat on Friday morning. He outlined his aim to “give it my all” this weekend. Standing six-feet-eight-inches tall, Benn could prove to be a difficult proposition for the Indian batsmen with his ability to bowl the new ball in the shortest format of the game.
“Obviously it has been a while since I last put on my West Indies shirt. Being called up and selected to play in the West Indies A Team is a privilege and a big opportunity. I am bowling well and I am confident in my game and the way I am playing, so I will be looking to make an impact this weekend and enjoy my time in the middle,” Benn said after a three-hour training session at Queen’s Park on Friday.
“Training has gone really great since in I joined the team. It is good to be back in this type of professional set-up again. Coming from club cricket in Barbados and coming back into the international environment is a few steps up, but I have been around for a while now and I know how to make the adjustment.”
Benn added: “Not looking too far ahead, I just want to enjoy my weekend and perform for West Indies. The team did a huge job to win the four-day series after going a match down, so I just want to come back, fit into the system under coach Hendy Springer, and build on what has been done before.
“I am feeling very confident and I am backing myself to do well. It’s all about being ready when the call comes. I’m fully prepared when the opportunities come along. I had a long time to prepare for these opportunities and I will grab it will both hands.”
The Digicel T20 matches will be played at Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday and Sunday. First ball is 7 pm (6 pm Jamaica Time).
WEST INDIES A TEAM T20 SQUAD: Kieran Powell (Captain), Samuel Badree, Christopher Barnwell, Sulieman Benn, Nkrumah Bonner, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder, Danza Hyatt, Delorn Johnson, Garey Mathurin, Jason Mohammed, Krishmar Santokie, Devon Thomas (Wicket-keeper)
Digicel Series Schedule
Digicel Test Series
1st Test: India A won by 2 wickets
2nd Test: West Indies A won by 125 runs
3rd Test: West Indies A won by 10 wickets
Digicel T20 Series at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
1st Digicel T20: June 23 – 7 pm
2nd Digicel T20: June 24 – 7 pm
Digicel 50-over Series at Queen’s Park Stadium, Grenada
1st One-Day: June 27 – 9.30 am
2nd One-Day: June 29 – 9.30 am
3rd One-Day: July 1 – 9.30 am
