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Paul confident ahead of series against Ireland
By Zaheer Mohamed
Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul remained confident ahead of the Colonial Medical Insurance One Day International Series against Ireland which starts on January 7 at Kensington Oval.
The Cricket West Indies selection panel, headed by Roger Harper has named the 14-man squad for the first and second One-Day Internationals; both day/night encounters starting at 13:30hrs. The second ODI will be played on January 9 also at Kensington Oval.
The series provides the players with an opportunity to build on the performances in India and Paul told Kaieteur Sport that he confident of doing well.
“I feel a lot more confident, I was nervous when I first stepped on to the field. It’s going to be a good series and I want to put in some good performances and help the West Indies take the series,” he added.
Paul said that while his bowling has been good, there is always room for improvement. “I have been working with the coach to improve in this department and I would like to contribute more with the bat as well.”
The all-rounder is confident that the West Indies can take the series “We have a very good young team and we are improving day by day, we have a good leader and things will happen,” he noted.
Despite the West Indies going down to India 2-1 in the ODI series, Paul who picked up 3-59 in the final game including the prize scalp of Virat Kohli, said there were a number of positives from that series. “Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran batted very well; they played mature innings in pressure situations. We have a team that is hungry and with a hungry team things will get better. The players are passionate and confident,” he posited.
Paul stated that there was some improvement on his part. “I always wanted to do well and there was some improvement on my part, there are some things I am working on and my desire to dominate international cricket.”
The 2020 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from October 18 to November 15 and Paul indicated that while the West Indies have what it takes to defend their title, it’s about the players stepping up and make the opportunity counts. “The guys are hungry and it’s all about doping well,” he pointed out.
The CWI Regional four-day franchise league will commence on January 9 and Guyana Jaguars will be looking for a record sixth consecutive title. They will begin their campaign against the Leeward Islands in Antigua and Paul is confident they can go all the way.
“Guyana has a good structure in place and I am confident they can successfully defend their title; I am always willing to play when available.”
Paul took the opportunity to wish all a prosperous 2020, on behalf of himself and family and the V Net family.
The match schedule for the Ireland tour reads; Jan 4: warm-up vs CWI President’s XI – Three Ws Oval, Barbados
Tuesday, Jan 7: 1st Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Thursday, Jan 9: 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval
Sunday, Jan 12: 3rd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Wednesday, Jan 15: 1st Sandals Resorts T20I – Grenada National Stadium
Saturday, Jan 18: 2nd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts
Sunday, Jan 19: 3rd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park
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