AFTER leading Kingston Cricket Club (CC) to their first Senior Cup title in over 20 years, left-arm spinner Patrick Harty says he’s remaining patient over a possible return to the Jamaica Scorpions squad.

Since his debut in 2020 the 33-year-old has had 14 first class appearances with 41 wickets in 25 innings. However, he was left out of the Scorpions set-up for the recently concluded regional first class season as the team won just two of seven matches to finish seventh in the eight-team tournament.

While hopeful of a recall, Harty isn’t waiting by the phone.

“I can’t control that; I just really try to come out and perform well. Whatever happens, happens. I know what I’m capable of and I know my skills [so] I just trust my skills and go out there and play. Whatever happens off the field, that will take care of itself,” he said.

Following the Scorpions snub, Harty turned his attention to the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after taking a whopping 55 wickets in eight matches. He had six five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket return against Police.

His performances led Kingston to the final in which they got the better of Jamaica Defence Force.

Harty was elated to be a key part of the team’s success.

“It’s a great feeling. They [my teammates] give me all of the support and the confidence to go out there and play; even when things aren’t going my way, they still believe in me. I’m just happy I can repay their faith in me and also to use my skills and help the team to win,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I took the wickets but it’s been a whole professional display from all the members of the team. Every individual on the team had a big performance, which really helped the team. Even though I got the wickets, it really says a lot about the character of the players in the team — they really came to the fore and pushed us over the line. I can’t take all of the credit but I’m happy I was able to contribute to the team’s success,” he added.

Harty’s Kingston CC Captain Akim Fraser sung the left-arm spinner’s praises.

“I think his contributions this season were immense. He really showed his quality, not just as a left-arm spinner or a bowler but as a leader in the team and around our set-up. We played eight games in the season and he took five-wicket hauls in six out of the eight. When you think about that, it’s crazy,” Fraser told the Observer.

“I think he’s the best left-arm spinner in the country, especially for the four-day format. Whether he’ll be involved in the set-up going forward, I’m not sure. It would be good if he was because it would give some credence to the local competition and incentive to the top performers in the local competition. He was miles ahead of everybody else. He’s somebody that has performed at the regional level.

“I can’t speak about the direction the Scorpions team wants to go but if there’s somebody who’s a proven performer over the years in local cricket, you’d think he’d be around the national set-up,” he added.

Harty, though, says he’ll continue to improve his craft.

“It’s just to enjoy the victory — first and foremost — and then look back at the season, see where I can improve, and then try to lay the groundwork and framework to work on those things, come back next season or the next competition and really put in another big performance,” he said.