Bridgetown, Barbados — Experienced fast bowler Fidel Edwards says he is hoping to make a major contribution to West Indies’ success against Australia when the visitors come to the Caribbean next month for the Digicel Series.
Edwards, who turned 30 two weeks ago, is preparing for the tour which will feature five One-Day Internationals, two T20 Internationals and three Test matches. He demonstrated his good form in the Caribbean T20 last month and the ongoing Regional 4 Day tournament.
In the last Regional 4 Day match against Trinidad and Tobago, Edwards took six wickets for 70 runs as the Bajans won by five wickets. He bowled with great pace to take 5-64 in the first innings — his 15th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket which took him to 249 career wickets.
Edwards will miss this weekend’s day/night PINK ball match against Combined Campuses & Colleges at Kensington Oval. He has been rested as part of the workload management as the Windies prepare for a busy year ahead including — the visit by Australia, the tour of England in May and June and the Digicel Series against New Zealand which follows.
"My rhythm has been really good. I bowled well in the Caribbean T20 and felt I did a very good job for the team in the last match against T&T. If everything stays that way I should be quite good when the Australians come to the Caribbean next month," Edwards said.
"We played very well against Trinidad & Tobago and I was happy to bowl the team to victory. I ended the match with the kind of returns I was looking for. Getting wickets is always good."
Edwards added: "I think I have to be a bit more accurate. My lines have to be a bit better. I still want to be able to bowl fast and create problems for the batsmen, but the more important thing is to make sure that I stay focused and make sure I’m ready for what will be a full year of international cricket."
Edwards is the most experienced bowler in the West Indies team. He has taken 154 Test wickets in 51 matches. He was good last year taking 32 wickets in eight Test matches at 29.90 runs per wicket, after making a successful return from injury.
The winning team in the Regional 4Day tournament will be awarded the Headley/Weekes Trophy in honour of West Indies greats George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes.
Other Awards
Batting (Most Runs) – The Vivian Richards Award
Bowling (Most Wickets) – The Courtney Walsh Award
Fielding (Most Catches) – The Clive Lloyd Award
Allrounder (Leading Allrounder) – The Malcolm Marshall Award
Wicket-keeping (Most Dismissals) – The Deryck Murray Award
Most Promising Fast Bowler – The Andy Roberts Award
Upcoming matches – 4th round: Friday, February 24 to Monday, February 27
Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands at Queen’s Park Oval
Guyana vs Jamaica at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (day/night)
Barbados vs Combined Campuses & Colleges at Kensington Oval (day/night)