NATIONAL cricketer Yannick Elliott said he is “recuperating quicker than expected” following hospitalisation due to a stroke he suffered almost four weeks ago.

The 26-year-old all-rounder, who has begun light bowling routines at his local outfit Melbourne Cricket Club, expressed optimism that with time, he will be able to return to competitive action.

“It (the recovery) has been good. I’m recuperating quicker than expected and I can move about freely now. I just need to get the cricketing skills as part of the therapy so that the brain can recall what to do,” he told the Jamaica Observer during the ISSA/GraceKennedy all-island play-off cricket match at Melbourne on Wednesday.

“I’m confident because it all starts in the brain and once the brain is positive I can do anything. I’m not 100 per cent sure I’ll be coming back very shortly, (but) there is no doubt of me coming back…I’m very confident and positive,” said the former Norman Manley High student.

Elliott was admitted to the Kingston Public Hospital after initially complaining of not feeling well one evening after cricket practice. He also developed complications to the left side of his body, which included limited use of his left arm.

The young all-rounder was treated for stroke, and according to him, doctors said a migraine could have precipitated it.

“There could be many things that could have caused the stroke. I’m a troubled person with migraine headache. The migraine gave me a clot in my head which triggered the stroke, they (the doctors) said. I’m supposed to do a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan this weekend to see if the clot is dissolving,” he revealed.

A stroke or brain attack occurs when a blood clot interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain.

Elliott said he was grateful for the “incredible support” he is receiving from family members, close friends and the Melbourne fraternity during a “challenging” recovery process.

He smiled as he described the struggle he had in attempting to execute his right-arm off-spin bowling during a recent session.

“I tried bowling a ball the other day and it is nothing like I am used to do. The (left) hand is not coming up (during the bowling follow through) so I guess I need to get more into the cricket and get things co-ordinating again,” he said.

“Otherwise I’m recovering well,” Elliott reiterated.

Elliott has played three 50-overs and two Twenty20 matches for Jamaica and snared 2-49 in this season’s Regional Super50 win over the Leeward Islands at Sabina Park.