'My timing is coming on slowly, but surely'

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Marlon Samuels says he is delighted with his century last weekend and now looks forward to next week's inaugural Caribbean Twenty20 Championship to be held in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 29-year-old, who had been out of the game for two years, after serving an International Cricket Council (ICC) ban for "receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute", made a stroke-filled 107 on Sunday as his team, Melbourne Kangaroos, played to a draw with newly crowned champions Manchester Lions in the final round of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super League at Courney Walsh Drive.

Dire straits

Samuels came to the crease with Melbourne in dire straits at one run for two wickets and needing a good partnership to avoid the team from losing outright. He proceeded to hit seven fours and three well-timed sixes off 132 balls, much to the pleasure of the spectators who were on hand.

"To get a century in the last match of season feels good, albeit I was looking to get a few more. However, the rain affected a couple of our matches. It's now for me to grow from strength to strength as I head into the Caribbean T20," said Samuels.

"Fitness-wise I think everything is okay and I am getting into form. It's just for me to try and continue to be balanced, look on the ball for as long as possible, as my timing is coming on slowly, but surely," he added.

Throughout his innings, Samuels, who averages 28.73 in 29 Tests, including two centuries; and 30.27 in 107 one-day internationals, also with two centuries, got valuable support from his captain, Carlton Baugh Jr, who made 52 not out.

199-run third-wicket stand

The duo shared in a 199-run third-wicket stand that was only broken when Samuels was out-stumped minutes before the scheduled end of play.

Samuels, looking back at his time away from the game, said he has learnt a lot.

"Expect me to continue to work hard, and whenever I am at the crease put in a more mature batting display.

"When you are young, you are very eager to get after the bowling. But being out for two years and watching a lot of cricket, I see that the older the great players get, the longer they tend to bat and make more runs," he reasoned.

Melbourne, which finished second behind Manchester and one place ahead of former champions St Catherine Saints, ended up making 200-4 at the close in their second innings. They were earlier dismissed for 243 in their first innings, in reply to Manchester's 344.

The Caribbean T20 Championship will feature all regional teams, as well as Canada, and will be held between July 22 and August 1. The winners will represent the region at the lucrative second annual Airtel Champions Twenty20 League in South Africa.