HOVE, England – Kirk Edwards said he was looking forward to playing this weekend, as West Indies prepared to face Sussex Sharks in a three-day, tour match, starting on Saturday at the PROBIZ County Ground.
The West Indies vice-captain said this weekend’s match was important, as the visitors tried to get acclimatised to English conditions ahead of their three-Test series against the hosts, which starts later this month.
"Wherever you play, it is always a test of your skills," said Edwards. "Different places present different challenges.
"It is all about coming and adjusting to the conditions, and being mentally tough out there and being able to handle whatever the opposition sends down at you."
West Indies arrived in England this week and had their first full training session outdoors on Friday at the match venue under cloudy skies in frigid temperatures.
Edwards said he tried to keep batting simple and was not the kind of player that got caught up in the moment.
"Looking at England play cricket over the last few years, they have built themselves into the No.1 team in the World," he said. "I give credit to them for this.
"But whatever the case may be, whoever you play against, as a batsman you have to play every ball on its merit and not worry too much about the opposition, so my focus is getting myself into good positions and playing the cricket ball."
He added: "Batting is kind of a reactive thing. You have your batting plan, but you have to react to what the guy at the other end delivers.
"I don’t get caught up with a lot of the stuff that’s going on around me. I focus on what I have to do and I approach things in my way. This has a lot to do with what the team want at that point in time…I try to get it and if you don’t have control of your mind, I am of less value to my team."
West Indies are expected to face the England pair of left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and wicketkeeper/batsman Matt Prior this weekend. They have been named in the Sharks’ 12-member squad for the match.