Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Monday | November 30, 2009
Home : Sport
Marshall looks to rebound
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer


Marshall

Opener Xavier Marshall said he is disappointed at not making a hundred in the first innings of the second trial match at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

However, he looking forward to make amends in the second innings of the contest geared at selecting Jamaica's team for the upcoming regional four-day competition.

The 23 year-old right-hander, who has been in out of the West Indies team in recent years, and is looking forward to a productive 2010 season ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship and South Africa's tour of the region, made 69 for David Bernard Jr's XI.

Commanding position

At the end of yesterday's rain-hit second day, they were in a commanding position against Tamar Lambert's XI.

Replying to Tamar Lambert's XI modest 182, Bernard Jr's XI closed the day on 244-4, with former regional Under-19 batsman, Horace Miller, not out on 40 and former national Under-19 batsman, Maverick Perry, not out on 25.

Hard-hitting left-hander Shawn Findlay made 39, first match centurion Brenton Parchment, 27, and newcomer, John-Ross Campbell, 23.

Left-arm 'chinaman' bowler, Andre Dwyer, who did not play the first match at Up Park Camp, claimed 2-9 off 2.3 overs before picking up a hand injury.

"After getting a start and getting a 50 I should have continued and go on to get a hundred and for this I am disappointed," said Marshall, who made 25 and two in the first match.

"But overall its not too bad, as during this innings my concentration improved and my ball selection was a lot better. I am just looking forward to the second innings and the third match where hopefully I can get it right," he added.

Criticised for his inability to concentrate for long periods and poor shot selection, Marshall last represented the West Indies earlier this year against touring England at Sabina Park where he made a one-ball duck in the team's innings and 23-run win.

This period of failure Marshall says affected him mentally, but with counselling, including that of noted pshychiatrist, Dr Aggrey Irons, and a return to batting basics, he has slowly improved.

"My game is getting there. I am becoming more and more mentally tough and have been putting in more work than I have been doing in recent years.

"I think where I have gone wrong in the past couple of years is that I had stopped doing what I used to do before I started playing senior cricket for Jamaica and the West Indies," said Marshall, who has represented the region in seven Tests at an average 20.25.

"I have of lately returned to those basics and have been training a lot and playing a lot of cricket like back in the old days - on the streets, on grass, wherever and whenever I get the chance," he added.

Play resumes today at 10 a.m.


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