Rookie Beaton focussed on performance to cement spot

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – New boy Ronsford Beaton says he is thrilled with his call-up to senior West Indies colours and is now focussed on delivering in order to cement his spot in the squad.
The 24-year-old fast bowler, a former West Indies Under-19 player, was named in a 13-member side to face minnows Afghanistan in the three-match Twenty20 series bowling off at Warner Park here Friday.
“From a tender age playing cricket, representing West Indies was always my goal,” the Guyanese said.
“I remember the Under-19 World Cup [in 2012] we had a discussion with our coach and [he asked] in seven years where did we see ourselves and I said I saw myself being a permanent fixture in the West Indies team.
“So now that I’m here, I’m looking to cement my place and [to do that] I have to go out there and perform to the best of my ability.”
Right-armer Beaton caught the eye in this year’s Regional Super50 one-day tournament, bowling with pace to take 14 wickets at an average of 20 for Guyana Jaguars.
According to chief selector Courtney Browne, Beaton was chosen primarily to add pace to the Windies attack and the right-armer said he was anxiously looking forward to fulfilling his role.
“The ball is coming out as I would like and as I expect so it’s just a matter of me going into the game and executing my plans,” he said.
“I like the challenge of bowling in the power-play and at the death. My strength is probably bowling fast yorkers so I will be trying to execute that as much as possible.”
Beaton has also played 33 first class games and taken 64 wickets but did not play a single four-day game in the just concluded season after failing to land a contract with his native Guyana Jaguars.
He took 17 wickets from seven first class games in the previous season.
Beaton, who took seven wickets for West Indies A on last year’s one-day tour of Sri Lanka, said he hoped the T20 selection would help him break into the other formats.
“I guess this is the first stepping stone in my career with the West Indies so I’m just looking to make use of this opportunity and keep hitting at the door until it opens,” he stressed.