Big-hitting Hyatt hopes for speedy recovery

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Despite feeling pain at the moment, Jamaica and West Indies A batsman Danza Hyatt says he is hopeful of suiting up for Jamaica during next month's Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament in Antigua and Barbados.

The hard-hitting batsman, who was a standout for West Indies A during their Twenty20 series win over Pakistan A last month, said he was told by doctors that within two weeks he could be able to hold a bat again.

"Initially, I wasn't feeling any pain. However, recently it has been hurting me a bit. But they (doctors) say the reason why this is happening is because it is healing," said Hyatt.

"I am, therefore, looking forward to next week, as when I picked up the injury Dr Akshai Mansingh said within two weeks or so the cast could come off as the break was clean and not splintered ... soon I could start hitting some balls," he added.

National selectors

The 27-year-old Hyatt, who was Jamaica's leading batsman at the tournament last season, picked up the injury after he was hit by a delivery from young pacer Jason Dawes while playing forward on what was an uneven track at Chedwin Park.

His injury, however, did not prevent the national selectors from naming him in the team's 14-man squad for the tournament, which will be held from January 10-23 in Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda.

In preparation for the tournament, the JCA has arranged seven practice matches and Hyatt says he would not mind if he could play in a couple to test his readiness.

"I am just taking it easy, staying positive and praying for the best. There are a couple practice games that have been scheduled and my hope is that I will be able to play in at least two so that I can see where I am at," he said.

The first practice game was played yesterday, with the others slated for today (starting at 10 a.m.), December 23, 30 and 31, and January 4 and 5.

The team is slated to depart on January 7.