http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Marlon-Nathaniel-Samuels-c74804 aiming to be number one – Cricket News Update
Following his match-winning performance in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 going on to lift the cup, Marlon Samuels has expressed the intent to further his Test career, claiming he wants to be “number one”
before he retires.
“I want to be number one and I will continue to work hard because I want to be number one before I finish,” Samuels said while speaking to journalists at the Norman Manley International Airport in Jafmaica.
The 31-year-old made his debut for the national side in 2000, and despite displaying plenty of raw potential, found himself in and out of the national side owing to inconsistent performances and a tendency to attract controversy. A major scandal struck in
2008, when he was found guilty of having engaged in match-fixing during the Windies’ ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in 2007, and the right-hander was handed a 2-year ban.
He made his return to the international squad in 2011, but really came into his own during the latter part of the year, during the West Indies' tour of India in November/December. Samuels contributed a total of 185 runs during the 3-match Test series, and
a total of 111 runs during the 5-match ODI series, and followed it up with equally strong performances in the ensuing series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
Samuels scored 386 runs during the 3-match Test series against England – an impressive feat given the difficult conditions, and the Poms’ top-class bowling attack – including a century and three half-tons. He went on to contribute solid performances during
the home series against the Kiwis, with 203 runs in the 2-match Test series, and 201 runs in the 5-match one-day series, including a stellar unbeaten 101.
However, Samuels’ status as a key element in the Windies' batting order was truly sealed during the recently wrapped-up ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, where he top-scored with 78 to revive an otherwise sagging innings, in addition to claiming 1 for 15
– a performance which won him the Player of the Match award, and propelled his team to their first major victory since their 1979 World Cup triumph.
Having succeeded in establishing himself as a serious cricketer, the batsman is now intent on furthering his Test career. With 2413 runs from 42 Tests under his belt, Samuels has expressed the intent to aim higher.
“I have a lot of plans and the bar continues to rise, especially when I achieve my goals,” he said. “So what I can say is look out for a more mature cricketer, and an improved cricketer, and I will just continue to work as hard as possible.
“The world hasn’t seen a double century or a triple century from me as yet, so look forward for them and as soon as possible,” he added, going on to explain that he enjoyed putting himself under pressure, in order to bring out the best in himself.
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