By Neto Baptiste
Leeward Islands Hurricanes opening batsman Devon Thomas is hoping that recent matches in the CG Insurance Super50 have provided him with adequate preparation ahead of the regional squad’s tour of Australia starting later this month.
Speaking on the Good morning Jojo Sports Show, the Antiguan said he is looking forward to playing in Australia, but wants to be in peak condition.
“I have to go down there and try to get the condition … right because it’s the same cricket but a different format, and you’ll be playing international cricket against a world class team, so I have a lot of planning and a lot of work to do to catch up. I don’t think I got enough knocks in the CPL; I think I batted about three times out of seven games and getting a few games as match practice really benefits me going down there,” he said.
Thomas hit three fours and four sixes for his 94 off 98 balls during the Hurricanes’ abandoned CG Insurance Super50 match against Barbados Pride here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Sunday, just one day before leaving with the senior men’s team to Australia on Tuesday.
The part-time wicketkeeper is hoping to improve on what he said were a number of lukewarm performances in recent outings for the senior team.
“I had gotten six innings with three against New Zealand and, I think, three against the Indians, so I started well but didn’t end well. I went away from my game plan. There were a few times when I batted at five and batted outside the power play and the next four innings was inside the power play, so I didn’t give myself any chance chasing about 190 or so. I realised that I went away from my plan, so I have to just try and stick to my game plan,” he said.
The first Test against Australia will start on November 29 in Perth, with the second match slated to start on December 8 in Adelaide. The tour will, however, open on November 22 with a match between the West Indies and the Prime Minister’s XI.
