Samuels turns down World Cup offer

Jamaica batsman opts to concentrate on four-day game

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's star batsman, Marlon Samuels, has turned down an offer by the West Indies selectors to replace injured all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, in the regional squad at the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup in India.

Samuels says he refused the offer because he does not believe he is ready for one-day internationals.

According to Samuels, who is presently the leading runs-scorer in the ongoing West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament, he does not believe he is 100 per cent ready and in trying to be honest with himself has decided not to rush back into international cricket.

"First of all, I want to say thanks to the regional selectors for sitting down and thinking about selecting me for the World Cup. I am honoured to get such a phone call," said Samuels in a KLAS Sports FM radio interview yesterday.

He added: "But as I had said in interviews before the start of the tournament, I want to at this moment focus on four-day and not one-day cricket, and try to be out there in the sun for hours on top of hours. I am doing that at the moment.

Decision

"However, despite this, I still don't think I am 100 per cent ready and I want be honest with myself. I hope the selectors understand and respect my decision," added the 30-year-old.

Efforts by The Gleaner to contact members of the WICB selection committee for a response proved futile.

The selectors have since replaced Bravo with Guyanese leg-spinner, Davendra Bishoo.

Samuels, who has so far scored three centuries and a 50 in six innings since his return to regional four-day cricket, said he was looking forward to playing against India and Pakistan in the upcoming Digicel home series, should he continue to bat well and the selectors decide to give him another chance.

"I am definitely looking to play in the upcoming Digicel homes series, so hopefully I will continue on the road that I am and continue to score centuries," he said.

He also said he was looking forward to returning with the Jamaica team today as they prepare for their next three games at Sabina Park against England Lions, the Combined Campuses Colleges and Trinidad and Tobago.

"I just want my fans and well-wishers to know that I am looking forward to returning home for the final three preliminary round matches where I hope to continue my form," he said.