KHULNA, Bangladesh – Veerasammy Permaul said travelling with the Sagicor High Performance Centre team has been enjoyable the second time around.
Permaul graduated with the first class of the Sagicor HPC, but he was included on this tour to beef up the current squad, following the selection of batsman Johnson Charles to the senior West Indies team for the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament.
The Guyanese left-arm spinner was the most successful Sagicor HPC bowler with 3-69 from 22 overs, as the BCB Academy reached 184 for seven, replying to the visitors’ first innings total of 534 for nine declared at the close on the third day of their four-day match on Tuesday at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
"Most of the guys have played first-class cricket for their territorial sides, so I know most of them," said Permaul.
"It’s not really coming into a side filled with people I have never met before. Everything is falling into place and we just want to do a good job for the Sagicor HPC on this tour."
Permaul is the incumbent West Indies A-Team captain, a factor that was not completely lost on the management of the Sagicor HPC when he asked to join the touring side.
This makes him a vital resource for current Sagicor HPC captain Carlos Brathwaite whenever the side takes the field during the trip.
"I think Carlos was the only one who played with me on the A-Team," said Permaul.
"I think whatever I see that’s not going the way we want and anywhere I can help, I will go over to Carlos and offer him a bit of advice."
Permaul and the rest of the Sagicor HPC’s bowlers overcame a few BCB Academy batsmen getting starts, but failing to carry on.
He said he had to dig deep in his bag of tricks to come up with a plan to make inroads into their batting.
"I think they have a few decent batsmen, but I think we bowled more patiently and more consistent lines and lengths than their bowling," he said.
"For me, I had to bowl to suit the conditions of the pitch. It was low and turning very slowly, so it was important for me to be patient and consistent with my line and length.
"I had to mix up the pace and try to get the ball in the right areas."
Permaul’s steady bowling had followed up a solid lower-order contribution of 42 that helped to swell the Sagicor HPC total and further dampen the spirits of the BCB Academy players.
"As you know, I previously attended the Sagicor HPC and I have been working on my batting since I was there," he said.
"Hopefully, it’s getting better because I have been working really hard on it and I can continue to make decent scores lower in the order."
Permaul said the Sagicor HPC players were hoping the weather, which has disrupted the last two days, would remain clear, allowing them a chance to push for a victory.
"We have a very good chance of winning, but we have to get their last three first innings wickets as quickly as possible before sending them back in and trying to win."