Ottley says Windies call-up was a dream come true

Sports

Jonathan Ramnanansingh

2 Days Ago

LEFT-HANDED top-order batsman Kjorn Ottley hailed his debut selection to the West Indies (WI) One-Day International (ODI) team as a well-deserved Christmas gift to himself for all the hard work put in throughout his career.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old earned his maiden call-up to the regional ODI squad which begins its 2021 tour of Bangladesh, on January 10. The series features three ODIs and two Test matches.

Ottley dubbed his inaugural selection a “dream come true” and is eager to receive his first maroon cap as an official senior WI player.

“It’s an amazing feeling knowing that this was always my childhood dream to represent the WI at the highest level.

“I didn’t really expect it. I know I was a fringe player. I probably had a chance but I thought it was really for the WI ‘A’ team. Getting the call-up by the selectors was really my Christmas gift,” he said.

The Central Sports batsman sees the tour as a great opportunity to showcase his skill and ability on an international level.

Before Monday’s selection, twelve experienced WI ODI and Test players declined the opportunity to tour due to covid19 concerns or personal reasons.

Long-standing Test captain Jason Holder, former ODI skipper Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, and Nicholas Pooran activated the CWI’s covid19 policy.

This policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection.

Additionally, Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.

While Ottley believes the men in maroon will miss some of their more experienced players on tour, he thinks their absence may provide a platform for the younger players to have a shot at the top-flight competition.

“It’s an opportunity I, and I’m sure the younger players, would like to grasp with both hands. Every opportunity I get to play cricket outside of TT I see it as a way to go forward especially if I put in good performances.

“The new players, like myself, will be looking to do our best in Bangladesh and keep our names in the eyes of the CWI selectors,” he added.

At the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva, on Monday, newly appointed TT Red Force coach David Furlonge and Super50 skipper Kieron Pollard met up for their first training session ahead of the upcoming regional tournament.

Ottley was also present at the session, chasing his chance of representing TT at the 2021 edition. In 2019, he represented Barbados. The Super50 Cup bowls off from February 4-27 in Antigua.

When the news came of his selection by CWI the very next day, Ottley was in training again, this time with the Kumar Rampat Cricket Academy. And on Wednesday, the dedicated player returned to NCC to train with those gunning for a place on TT’s Super50 squad.

“Personally I want to take it one game at a time and perform to the best and enjoy my cricket. Once I do this, I think that should be a good start for me,” he said.

With regards to competing in a bio-secure bubble in Bangladesh, Ottley anticipates this new normal to the cricketing arena. Having previously visited Bangladesh with the High-Performance Centre Academy some years ago, Ottley is raring to go.

“I didn’t experience the quarantine as yet but I don’t think it should be too harsh on me. I have been training a lot and this new normal is something I have been looking forward to,” he concluded.