Permaul hungry for more International exposure

 By Akeem Greene

Guyana Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy  Permaul continues to be a dominant force in regional cricket  but those splendid performances have not corresponded in a consistent exposure to international cricket.
On April 11 at the National Stadium, Providence,  Permaul returned the One Day International (ODI) team after last playing one of his seven ODIs in November 2013 after making his debut in 2012 against Bangladesh.
During his come-back where he bowled four overs for 31 runs and made eight runs.
“It is always nice playing in  front of the your home crowd and It  was  nice to be back after so many  years; the  comeback was not  the best of games but I still have to keep working and whatever opportunities present itself  to be  better next time”, he stated.
Added to his ODI outings, the spinner has played 6 Tests since making his debut in 2012, with his last being June 2015 against Australia. In this regard, the bowler is extremely desirous of playing more for the men in maroon.
“I really want to play for West Indies consistently, I have been working hard throughout the years, I have been getting wickets  in regional cricket and I really wanted it; it does  matter  the format I really want to play for West Indies”,   the 27 year-old expressed.
During the ODI match he also got a chance to play with Albion Cricket Club teammate and fellow spinner Devendra Bishoo for the first time in International cricket, an experience he hopes to happen more.
“As a youngster growing up, we always played together, we trained together and always wanted to play together on the world stage and we had that opportunity one time and hopefully we have many more”.
In the last three Four-day  seasons, the spinner played 27 matches and collected  148 wickets while in the 50-over format, in his  17 matches  he garnered 37 wickets; even playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, he as has   been an  evergreen of  consistency.
In deciphering why he continues to pose a threat to regional batsmen, the bowler adjudged it to being patient.

“I think as a player I  have gotten  more  experience as what to it  takes  to get wickets at the regional level; it  is same thing I have been doing every year,  be consistent in an area”.
He added, “Bowling in the Caribbean once you be patient to batsmen you tend to get wickets”.
It is not only with ball in hand that the player is seeking to make an impact since the right-handed batsman who has played 93 First-Class matches with a high score of 86 not out is working overtime on improving his stroke-play.
“I have been working on my batting most people know me as one who comes down the order and hit the ball but I’m a much better batter than that, situations in games that was required; I’m trying to be more consistent and get good scores when opportunities present itself”.
He further disclosed, “as a cricketer you need to adapt to situations, you need to learn quickly and be on your game all the time and try improve everyday”.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Jaguars three-peat in  the four-day season, he  contended that the rough times were  what helped the team learn the meaning on winning.
“ We had some rough times but we are now reaping  the benefits most of the guys  that went through the bad patches  and we were  at the bottom of the table for a long time, however, for the last three years  we are the champs”.
He went to say “  the guys are more experienced, we know what  it is lose and what it is to win and everyone understand their game and everyone is playing their role and stepping in various time and it was the collective team effort that brought us success”.
Permaul will have another chance to stake a claim for international duties if he plays for the WICB President’s XI against the touring Afghanistan in a Twnety20 match on May 30 at Warner Park, St. Kitts and Nevis.