Martin studying hard ahead of ODI series

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):Anthony Martin has hailed his involvement with the West Indies A-Team last year for making him a "thinking" cricketer.

The leg-spinner was named the sole newcomer in the West Indies 13-member squad for the first two one-day internationals against Pakistan later this month.

The 28-year-old Antiguan benefitted from a trip last year to England with the A-Team, and bowled tidily in the WICB regional one-day competition to help the Leeward Islands earn a share of the title with Barbados.

"Playing for the West Indies is the ultimate for any cricketer in the Caribbean," said Martin about his selection.

"I learned a lot about bowling and about the game in general in the last year, since I played for the A-Team and I have been trying to learn more with every day on the cricket field. I try to put all that I learn into play when I take the field."

He added: "I put a lot of thought into my cricket. I am the kind of cricketer who likes to 'study' the opposition and come up with plans of how best to approach the task at hand.

"I have been in the [pre-series] camp for a few days now and already I have been able to settle in and get used to the environment. I am really looking forward to this opportunity."

overcome with joy

Martin is part of the West Indies training camp taking place at the High Performance Centre in Barbados, as the squad gets ready for the next two months of international cricket.

The camp will continue until tomorrow and the team will travel to St Lucia on Monday, where they will contest the matches.

"I am overcome with joy," said Martin. "I am excited and really looking forward to playing against Pakistan.

"I believe I have it in me to make a positive contribution and also have an impact."

He said: "I'm excited. I have dreamed about this day, the day when I would get the chance to represent the West Indies.

"For me this is the beginning and I really want to do well for West Indies and make the people proud."

West Indies face Pakistan in the first two ODIs on April 23 and 25 at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The two matches will be preceded by a Twenty20 International on Thursday at the same venue.