Roseau, Dominica – West Indies pacer Fidel Edwards has declared himself "fit and strong" and also indicated he wants to continue the good work he has done against India. The 29-year-old said his ultimate goal is to be become the Number 1 bowler on the International Cricket Council’s Test match ranking.
Since his return to the game after a long break, Edwards has been the Windies most successful bowler – with 13 wickets at 19.84 each in the first two matches of the ongoing Digicel Test Series against India.
He has bowled with great pace and also produced reverse swing in the second Digicel Test in Barbados, where he ended with eight wickets for in the match – including 5-76 in the second innings. After that match he climbed seven places in the ICC Test match bowling rankings to Number 18 – making him the highest placed Windies bowler.
Following Monday’s training session at Windsor Park, he spoke about his recent performances and his desire to get better. The West Indies and India are preparing for the Third Digicel Test, which bowls off on Wednesday. It will be the first Test match at the ground.
"My aim has always been to be at the top. Now I’m back my goal is to be the Number 1 bowler in the world. I was away from the game for a few years and it feels good to be back. I’m bowling quite well and also getting the ball to reverse swing. During the time off I tried to work hard and I worked a lot to get the ball to reverse swing, now it’s working well for me.
"I’ve played back-to-back Test matches and my back has been holding up very well. I have been doing a lot of strength work with the trainer and things have been going well so far. I won’t say I’m back to my best but I have been taking wickets and it’s the wickets the team needs. If I can keep taking wickets and keep improving I believe I will be back to my best quite soon. I have to improve my consistency so hopefully I will be able to put it together even more in the match here and get more wickets.
Fidel also had high praise for his new ball partner Ravi Rampaul.
"Sharing the new ball with Ravi has been great. He has been great throughout the season and has been getting early wickets for us. We just want to keep improving. It has been a good partnership with the new ball."
Windies Squad for Third Digicel Test
Darren Sammy – Captain
Adrian Barath
Carlton Baugh
Devendra Bishoo
Darren Bravo
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Fidel Edwards
Kirk Edwards
Kieran Powell
Ravi Rampaul
Kemar Roach
Marlon Samuels
Lendl Simmons