JAMAICA Tallawahs new recruit, Kirk McKenzie, says he has been placing fitness at the centre of plans to become successful at the senior level.

The 20-year-old left-handed batsman, a former West Indies youth standout, is highly regarded around the region despite concerns surrounding his fitness.

At the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, he made a brilliant 104-ball 99 in West Indies’ two-wicket quarter-final loss to New Zealand. Aside from his breathtaking stroke play in a back-to-the-wall scenario, the innings is remembered for the cramps he suffered which forced him to retire hurt on 99. He returned when the regional side lost its ninth wicket, but he was the last man dismissed without adding a run.

“That [issue with cramping] is a thing of the past,” McKenzie told the Jamaica Observer during a telephone interview.

“I’m doing more running, I’ve got fitter, and I’ve been working on my technique a bit more, so my game has evolved. I’m a bit stronger now, mentally. I think I’m in a better place than I was years ago.

“I’ve had a problem where I can’t really bat for long or I can’t [concentrate] for long periods because of [lack of] fitness, so a false shot or something might come along the way. So I’m working on that so I can concentrate for longer… and running between the wickets is better for me,” the Jamaican player explained.

“I’ve been working with coaches Andre Coley, Nikita Miller, David Bernard Jr, and Andre Bryce, and it’s just really knowing when to go [after the bowling] and when to take it simple and take the singles. I’ve been working on just knowing when I can explode and when to just take a step back,” he added, regarding steps he is taking to optimise his shot selection.

The 2021 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) competition is slated for August 26 to September 15 in St Kitts and Nevis. The Tallawahs, two-time winners of the CPL, are expected to be one of the main challengers to reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders.

Set to rub shoulders with experienced Jamaica Tallawahs teammates, including West Indies players Andre Russell and Rovman Powell, the Kingston Cricket Club top-order batsman said he is eager for the chance to expand his knowledge of the game.

“I’m grateful for the chance to showcase my talent for the Tallawahs. I know it’s going to be a big learning experience for me. So I’m going in to learn as much as I can from players such as Rovman and Russell, who have done it before.

“I’m just going there to soak up as much as possible so that when it’s my time it’s easier for me to transition and just play whatever role the team wants me to play,” said McKenzie, formerly of St George’s College and Excelsior High.

Though on the verge of a senior international breakthrough in the T20 version, the young batsman insists his utmost desire is to play the longest format.

“I really want to play Tests because that’s what I grew up liking. But, my game can fit any format, so I’m good with T20 and 50-over cricket, but I really want to play Tests. I want to play four-day cricket… that’s always been an aspiration of mine. I just need to score more runs at the club level,” he told the Observer.

Jamaica Tallawahs squad – Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Shakib Al Hasan, Carlos Brathwaite, Haider Ali, Chadwick Walton, Fidel Edwards, Jason Mohammed, Qais Ahmed, Migael Pretorius, Kenar Lewis, Ibrahim Zadran, Veerasammy Permaul, Abhijai Mansingh, Kirk McKenzie, Joshua James, Ryan Persaud.