Johnson eyeing return to Windies side
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson believes heavy scoring will help him force his way back into the West Indies team, and says he has been working on his concentration too in order to achieve this goal.
The left-hander boasts an impressive Test record, averaging nearly 40 from his four Tests, but has been repeatedly overlooked by West Indies selectors for the last 15 months.
However, the 28-year-old topped the batting charts during the recently concluded first-class season and hopes this goes a long way in impressing selectors.
“It’s about getting bigger scores actually. I have managed to get [two] half-centuries in the four Tests I have played and some 30s and 40s,” he told the
Guyana Times newspaper.
“But probably at the Test level those kinds of scores won’t cut it, but it’s about getting the opportunity and then [being] able to get big scores and contribute towards the team’s success.”
Johnson stroked two centuries and five half-centuries in piling up 807 runs at an average of 57, during the recent first-class season. He was also twice dismissed in the 90s.
He made a weak start to the season but rebounded strongly and said this was down to refocusing and improving his concentration.
“It’s just down to hard work. The first couple of games, I had 31 runs from three innings and I had a little reflection on that, and it was the following eight games I was able to put it right,” Johnson said.
“I was disappointed to get out twice in the 90s so I could have gone on to finish with four hundreds this season, but I’m grateful and very thankful. It could have been a lot worse, but it still could have been better.”
He added: “It’s mainly down to concentration, once I’m able to concentrate for longer periods I will be able to convert those half-centuries into centuries. Most of the times after I get the half-century and then get out, it’s probably a rash shot, as I get too relaxed at the crease.”