Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – Ashley Nurse’s big day is just 24 hours away now.
And the Barbadian all-rounder is cock-a-hoop about success when the West Indies face India in the Digicel Pearls Twenty20 International tomorrow at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.
Nurse, the 22-year-old off-spinner played his first match in West Indies colours in April against Pakistan. Now he is back in the set-up and sees tomorrow’s match as the biggest of his life.
“From the moment I got the call I was switched on. For me this is a very big game. I see this as the biggest match of my life.
“I’ve been told that we will have a full house on Saturday and as a player you always like to showcase your skills in front a full crowd.
“For me this is a chance to show what I have and help to win another match for the West Indies.”
In his T20 International debut against Pakistan in St Lucia, Nurse was steady and efficient without being spectacular. Since then he went back to the drawing board.
During that period he kept busy on the field playing for Merryboys in Trinidad’s top league.
Nurse has made a huge jump up the ranks. A year ago he was not even in the Barbados team, but brilliant bowling in the Caribbean T20 tournaments has seen his break into the Windies side. He put it down to hard work and self-belief.
“I’m looking to observe the basics and stick to my line and length when I get a chance to bowl.
“I believe I can make a contribution with the bat so I’m taking my batting quite seriously.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work trying to hit the ball as straight as possible and keeping my shape,” he said.
(BA/PR)