Devendra Bishoo. Photo courtesy smh.com.au
Gros Islet, St Lucia — Devendra Bishoo is working his way back to the top level of international cricket. The leg-spinner has a plan in place to regain a spot in the West Indies senior team, and that plan includes “a lot of hard work”.
Bishoo bowled with control and accuracy to take three crucial wickets which put West Indies A team in a strong position over India A at Beausejour Cricket Ground. The Indians were bowled out for 230, after being sent in to bat on the opening day of the third Digicel four-day “Test” on Saturday. The home side ended on 34-0, with Kieran Powell (16 not out) and Kraigg Brathwaite (13 not out).
“It was hard work that got me to the top and I know I have to work hard to get back to the top. It was good to get three wickets today and bowl out India after we won the toss and put them in. It’s a good pitch for the batsmen, so the fact that we collected all 10 wickets in a day was fantastic for us,” said the 25-year-old, who took 3-40 off 12 overs.
“I bowled better today than in the last two games. I was rushing it a bit in the early matches, but today I slowed things down and it flowed. I concentrated on each ball and tried to set up the batsmen. Things worked well for me and I felt I was in a good groove and in full control of what I was doing,” added Bishoo, who last year won the ICC Emerging Player-of-the-Year award.
All three wickets came from clever bowling. He trapped Robin Bist leg-before-wicket with a slider. He then produced a top-spinner which topscorer Jalaj Saxena top-edged to midwicket. Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled last man Parvinder Awana with a quick, flat slider.
“I’m taking it moment by moment, step by step as I try to work my way back to the top. I’m taking gradual steps to get back to the highest level. The Indians are good players of spin and playing here against them in the A Team has been a good test for me,” Bishoo said.
“I have been doing a lot of work away from the scenes as well. I bowl for the entire net session and also put in a lot of overs after the nets have finished. I’m looking to put in the performances and try to earn my way back to the top.”
Published by Media on Sun, 06/17/2012 for www.windiescricket.com
