Colombo, Sri Lanka – West Indies wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh is enjoying his return to international cricket and is hoping to make the most of every opportunity he gets in Windies colours.
The pint-sized 28-year-old showed good form in the three-match One Day Series against Sri Lanka which ended on Sunday. He did not bat in the first match and when he got the chance made scores of 28 not out off 38 balls in the second match and a career-best 49 from 54 balls in third game. He is now preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup and plans to make the most of every opportunity in front and behind the stumps.
"I see every game as a big game. I see every game as a major opportunity to make a contribution to the team and to West Indies cricket. I am really focussed on the job and I am making strides forward. Since I returned to the team unit I have a more positive outlook on my game. I believe I can do the job at international level," Baugh said.
"I was away from international cricket for a few years so I’m very excited to be back representing the West Indies. I have made a few changes to my approach and the way I do things. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and not burden myself with too much. I look to go out and play my natural game and stick to the team plans."
The Windies Number 35 added: "This will be a big occasion for me in the World Cup. It is something I have been looking forward to. I am in pretty good form and I will be looking to take that form into the World Cup. I know what is required of me behind the stumps and with the bat and I am clear in my mind how to go about doing the job".
The Cricket World Cup bowls off on Saturday, February 19 with the Bangladesh facing India in Dhaka. The tournament will run until Saturday, April 2 with the final in Mumbai. The West Indies have been drawn in Group B alongside India, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
FULL SQUAD: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.
WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
Windies Warm-up matches
Feb 12 – v Kenya (R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
Feb 15 – v Sri Lanka (R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
Windies Group matches
Feb 24 – v South Africa (Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi)
Feb 28 – v Netherlands (Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi)
Mar 4 – v Bangladesh (Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka)
Mar 11 – v Ireland (Punjab C.A. Stadium, Mohali)
Mar 17 – v England (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)
Mar 20 – v India (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)