Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Paul ready to go wherever duty calls
It was announced last Thursday that Cricket West Indies (CWI) has approved next month’s tour of England where they will play three Tests in a “bio-secure” environment.
The series, if it gets the nod of the UK government, will mark a resumption of international cricket which has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kemo Paul is ready to go wherever duty calls.
The ECB has proposed two venues for the Test series starting July 8, Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Old Trafford, both of which have on-site hotels, including seeking permission from the various National Governments to facilitate the movement of players and support staff using private charter planes and conducting medical screening for all members of the touring party due to COVID-19.
Guyana and West Indies fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul told Kaieteur Sports that he is ready to go where duty calls.
“Well yes I’m willing to go whenever duty calls. I am ready to go, obviously measures must be put in place and we must follow the guidelines.
I think once the tour goes ahead it will be a competitive series. We won back here in the Caribbean so no doubt they will be playing extra hard but we will be up to the challenge,” said the 22-year-old Essequibian.
Paul, who hails from the Island of Saxacally in the Essequibo River but moved to the Island of Wakanaam to attend the Essequibo Secondary School, informed that, he has been doing his own training at home during the Pandemic break.
“The trainer from the West Indies sent me a programme and I have been working with that, also I have been focusing much more on my diet in this time,” informed Paul who scored 47 runs and took six wickets since making his debut against Bangladesh in Jamaica in July 2018.
The talented and level headed Paul disclosed that he had a ‘50 percent spot bowling’ session at the Providence Stadium on Thursday.
“After a month and a half I have finally gotten to go onto a cricket field and do some work so I am very grateful for that. Once the tour goes ahead and I am selected I am ready to perform. I am excited to play cricket again,” added Paul who 87 wickets from 21 First-Class games with three five-wicket hauls and 663 runs including a century and two fifties.
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season is scheduled to take place from 19 August to 26 September 2020 and at present, the CPL team are planning for the tournament to take place as scheduled whilst also looking at alternative plans should they be needed.
Among the contingency plans is to play the T20 tournament at one venue (Queens Park Oval T&T) behind closed doors with no spectators.
Paul, who has 51 wickets from 50 T20 games, gives his views on playing the ‘biggest Party in Sports’ with no spectators watching from the stands.
“Well I don’t think it’s a bad idea given the situation, it’s for everyone’s safety and just the thought of playing CPL gets me excited so with or without spectators I would love for it to go ahead,” said Paul who informed that West Indies Test cricket is his priority.
Paul played his first year at Regional U-15 level as a Wicket-Keeper/ batsman and his second year at that level as batsman who bowled spin before former Guyana off-spinner Gavin Nedd, now a Coach, changed him to batting all-rounder who bowled fast.
Paul has played for West Indies, Delhi Capitals, Delhi Daredevils, Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Guyana Under-19s, Montreal Tigers, Quetta Gladiators, UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI, West Indies A and West Indies Under-19s.
However, at the International level he is viewed as a bowling all-rounder but Paul who was a part of the West Indies’ U-19 2016 World Cup winning team when he became infamous for his ‘mankad’ run out against Zimbabwe, is confident he has the ability become a genuine all-rounder.
“I want to be more consistent in my batting and become the World’s best all-rounder,” concluded the hard working Paul, who has a highest score of 46 and 23 wickets from 19 ODIs. (Sean Devers)
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