Windies Cricket Team In “High Spirits”, Says Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin

It has been a good week for the West Indian cricket team. Currently touring Bangladesh where they drew in the first Test – despite bad weather delaying play – and are preparing for the second Test to begin tomorrow in Dakha. Speaking ahead of the second Test, West Indies wicketkeeper, Denesh Ramdin, spoke exclusively to www.digicelcricket.com about the team’s feelings on the Series so far, their hopes for Test Matches to come, and his own personal joy at being back with the Windies.
“The series has been really good so far,” he said, sounding upbeat.
 
“We got a draw in the full match of the first Test, which I think was partly due to the bad weather. There was a lot of water on the field in Chitaggong, and the delays to play were pretty frustrating, so to go on and draw the match was good. We’ll be taking the positive from it; the team is really pumped up for the next Test and hoping for full victory in Dhaka, where the weather is set to be much better.”
 
You were left off the team for the last few Series – how does it feel to be back playing for the West Indies again?
 
“I was quite disappointed when I wasn’t selected for the last few Series, but I am very happy now. I put in a lot of work back home in Trinidad and it paid off. I jumped at the chance to play this Series, and I’m grabbing every opportunity that comes my way. And it’s great to come back and rejoin the guys on the team.
“There are a lot of newcomers to the team, including some who have had little international experience. We’ve rallied round together and the new guys are getting a lot of support and advice from the more experienced cricketers, which makes for a great dynamic.”
 
“I think it’s really important to share knowledge and experience amongst the team; often the newer wicketkeepers will come to me or Carlton (Baugh) to ask for tips or advice, and of course, we’re happy to give it.”
 
Do you ever find yourself missing home or family during your travels?
 
“Well, I’ve been at home for a year, so I’m not really homesick at all. It’s the opposite in fact; I missed the team when I was off, so the best thing is to be playing with them again. I really enjoy travelling for cricket, but I am hoping to make it home for Christmas.”
 
How is the team feeling about the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh, and looking forward, about the India Away Series starting in a week?
 
“The team is in really high spirits at the moment; we’ve had three days of really great practice and we got a look at the pitch, which looks great, so we’re feeling ready to go against Bangladesh again.
 
“There’s no doubt that the India Series will be tougher; India have a team of champions, with a lot of experience, and they are a really good Test team as well. But we’ve been growing stronger throughout the Bangladesh Series, and we’re just going to go out there, play our best, and make sure they don’t beat us.”
 
Early next year, the Caribbean will be hosting Australia at home for the Digicel Series; what kind of welcome can they expect from players and fans on home turf?
 
“Australia has a great cricket team and they will probably put up at a good fight. But they’ve not been playing great versus South Africa at the moment, and we’ve been working hard to improve. We’ll be looking to have some fun at home, to play some great cricket, and give the Ozzies a warm Caribbean welcome.”
 
Digicel, proud sponsor of West Indies Cricket, is also sponsoring the live radio coverage for all games in the West Indies Away Series against Bangladesh and India through its partnership with regional network broadcaster, Line & Length.
 
Thanks to Digicel’s sponsorship, Line & Length Network will provide regional supporters with live ball-by-ball radio broadcasts of the away Series. In addition, the Regional Super50 tournament in Guyana will also be aired on radio stations in the Caribbean.
 
The West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh, which includes two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20, runs from Tuesday 11th October to Thursday 3rd November 2011, while the India Series that follows immediately after will have three Tests and five One-Day Internationals and is expected to finish on Monday 12th December 2011.