da fezbet： The first day on the job is special for every cricketer, and in the September issue of Wisden Asia Cricket , four debutants – Aavishkar Salvi , Jacques Rudolph , Mohammad Hafeez and Omari Banks – talk about their baptism in international
Wisden Asia Cricket02-Sep-2003 Wisden Asia Cricket”There was a motorcade around the island for me.”
Omari Banks
© Getty 2003
“From the time I was 12, my coach would tell me that I had it in me to play for West Indies – but then coaches always tell you positive things. The first time I really it this might happen was when we lost the first two Tests against Australia in the home series and the talk throughout the Caribbean was that we needed a spinner in the XI.”I was at my girlfriend’s house when the captain called me. I knew Brian Lara somewhat from earlier – I had got him out once! He rang and said, “Congratulations”, and I said, “For what?” even though I knew exactly what it was for. I was really excited inside, but wanted to appear calm.”I kept telling myself not to get caught up in the moment. It was only a cricket match, and I had played plenty before. The debut didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. But though I conceded more than 200 runs, I knew I hadn’t bowled that badly, and I batted okay. I was just happy playing for West Indies. Then came St. John’s and that record chase: the best day of my life, on or outside the cricket field. When I was waiting to go in to bat in the last innings, I kept reminding myself of the team’s objectives. The worst that could happen was that I could get out; the best was we could win the Test – which we did. That night, I celebrated by playing with Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson’s band – my dad is a musician, and I play some guitar too. Anguilla was all excited when I returned. There was a big reception for me at the airport, and then there was a motorcade all around the island, which is only 35 square miles.”I look back happily at my first international season. Playing with spinners like [Stuart] MacGill and [Muttiah] Muralitharan was a great experience. Murali is awesome, something special.”There are no international matches for a while now, but I’ll play some club cricket. I like to play the year round. And even if there is a break from matches, I don’t like to ever take a break from practice.”