Samuels rues missing century on Test return
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels says he is disappointed at missing out on three figures, after scoring an elegant half-century on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan on Saturday.
The right-hander hit a crucial 57 in his first Test innings in three years, helping West Indies to reach 184 for eight at Warner Park, in reply to Pakistan’s 272 all out.
“This was my first innings on my return to Test cricket and I conditioned my mind to play a long innings for the team,” he said afterwards.
“It was a good feeling to go out there and play the way I did for the team but I’m not totally satisfied. I have been getting big runs since I came back into first class cricket for Jamaica and I was looking to carry on and go all the way today (Saturday).”
The Jamaican right-hander stroked seven fours and cracked two sixes down the ground, emerging from a slow start to play positively in an innings that required 124 balls.
As wickets fell, however, he tried to push on and holed out to long-off off-spinner Saeed Ajmal at 158 for eight.
“I was hitting the ball very well. I came into this match with a lot of runs behind me and my confidence is high,” the 30-year-old explained.
“Right now in my life, my form is a state of mind. I don’t think my form will leave me at this moment and I am just stroking the ball the way I like and getting into the groove.
“I reached 50 and my goal was to go on and get a hundred. I was thinking once I got to three figures the team would be a good position and we would get the lead. I wanted to be there to get the target for the team.”
Though West Indies are still 88 runs adrift of their target, Samuels said he believed Kemar Roach (10 not out) and Ravi Rampaul (15 not out), could get West Indies near.
“I was talking to Roach when we were together, and I told him to believe. He is a guy who can bat and he is showing that,” Samuels said.
“I believe in the guys to do the job for the team and take us close to the runs we need to get for the lead. We’re still in the game. There is a lot of cricket left to be played.”
