Singh aiming for another splendid series against Sri Lanka “A”

…Test experience is an asset

By Akeem Greene

“My personal goal is to get back to scoring heavy runs. I would love to equal or better my record against Sri Lanka where I scored over 300 runs,” Vishaul Singh stated in an interview with Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday after a training session with the Guyana Jaguars at the Everest Cricket Club.
The left-handed batsman is currently preparing for another stint with the West Indies ‘A’ team in a home series against Sri Lanka “A”. When the two sides last met in October 2016, the pint-sixed Singh weighed in with 324 runs in the three-match series including a high score of 161. His average was a staggering 64.80 after the tour.
His aggregate was the highest for both teams and it certainly laid the platform for his elevation to the senior West Indies team for the Test series at home against Pakistan in April this year.
However, in the Test series, the compact left-hander only mustered 63 runs from the three matches. Admitting, by his standards, it was a disappointing debut series statistically but he was still adamant that it was a valuable learning experience.
“For me it was a fantastic experience being around the coaching staff and the players. Unfortunately for me it was not successful but I came back with a lot of knowledge. I know I had a lot of things to work on which I have been doing so far and I [am] hoping to put that in place in the series against Sri Lanka.”
Though diminutive in size, Singh has appetite for big runs as was testimony during the 2015/2016 Regional when he racked up the runs, finishing third on the batting charts with 712 runs at an average of 50.85. over the period, he struck three centuries with a high score of 150.

Those stats and his form on the tour to Sri Lanka laid the platform for him receiving his maroon cap but it also highlighted some possible technical flaws given that several of his dismals were identical against a world-class Pakistani bowling attack.
“Looking back I didn’t think there was a lot of technical issues. With respect to falling over that might be a bit of technical issue but I don’t think that was prevalent in the series. There was a lot more talk about getting out,” the 28 year-old contended.
The Georgetown Cricket Club player added, “Looking back, that was not my game. that is not my technique, that is not how I play but there are worse things that came out from that tour that I have been working on.”
West Indies senior team has come under tremendous criticism over the years due to their underperformance. The critiques have bashed from players to coaches but for Singh, his love for the sport keeps him focused on his goal ahead.
Fitness is another crucial area that the Alexander Village-born player plans to improve especially given the intended heavy workload.
“I am ready, trying to get my body back to full fitness. I’m try to get there every day to cope with all the cricket that is coming for Guyana and West Indies.”
Furthermore, the Windies “A” team vice-captain expressed confidence that his troops will be able to change the 2-1 series result in their favour on this tour.
The two sides will clash in three unofficial Test matches from October 11 to 29 with all the games scheduled for Jamaica at the Trelawny Multiplex and Sabina Park. There will also be three one day matches between November 1-5, also in Jamaica.
The Windies “A” Team squad for the first two ‘four-day Tests’ reads: Shamarh Brooks (Captain), Vishaul Singh (Vice-Captain), Sunil Ambris, John Campbell, Yannic Cariah, Rahkeem Cornwall, Sheldon Cottrell, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Damion Jacobs, Keon Joseph, Reynard Leveridge and Oshane Thomas.