KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — Beleaguered pacer Jerome Taylor made a quiet return to international cricket on Saturday, playing his first competitive match in nearly six months as West Indies beat Ireland in a Twenty20 International at Sabina Park.

Without much fanfare, he sent down four overs for 30 runs and claimed a wicket and said afterward he was happy with his fitness.

“I felt really good with my performance today (Saturday). I was relaxed and just went out and bowled like normal,” the 25-year-old said.

“The body was feeling quite good and I’m quite happy with the work I put in. My run-up was clean and my delivery stride was good, so it all went according to the plan that myself and the coach (Ottis Gibson) had in place.”

Taylor has been out of action ever since a bad back restricted him to just nine overs in the first innings of the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane last November.

Though he missed the return One-Day Series against the Aussies and Zimbabwe, along with the WICB first-class season, he was picked in the 15-man squad to contest the World Twenty20 Championship later this month.

He has been under the watchful eyes of Gibson who last week said the Jamaican was not yet ready for a return to action, and rested him for the two T20Is and two One-Day Internationals against Canada and Ireland.

Taylor said despite the protracted time on the sidelines, he felt no ill-effects during his spell.

“I didn’t have any nerves. It was a case of going out there in the middle and delivering,” he said.

“It can be a mental thing. I feel strong mentally and physically. Winning is always the key and today’s overall team effort was pleasing for me.

“The frame of mind I’m in at the moment, I just want to go out and put in big performances and look to play my part in the process of winning and helping the West Indies to victories in the ICC World T20 tournament.”

Taylor will also be expected to lead the Windies attack in the three Tests and five ODIs against South Africa immediately following the World T20.