http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Marlon-Nathaniel-Samuels-c74804’ second coming [Part 2]
Continued from Part 1 …
The case resurfaced in May 2008, and despite the reservations expressed by various individuals regarding the unnecessary harshness of the sentence as per the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Julian-Robert-Hunte-c69628 to recommend a suspended sentence), Samuels was issued a 2-year ban from the sport, for “receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.
The tragedy of a young player bringing his own budding career to a standstill, and the implications of the damage that the time and opportunities lost would do to him, was not lost on anyone, but considering the fact that any degree of corruption in the game is unacceptable, Samuels was forced to step back and watch from the sidelines as the national side moved on without him.
However, following his self-destructive phase, Samuels cleaned his act up and appeared to get his life back on track. Additional time for self-reflection, and an added sense of responsibility, instilled in him by his young children, brought the batsman back to life, and by the time the ban came to a close, Samuels was ready to don his gear once again, and step back onto the pitch. However, this time around, he was a changed man.
“I used to be selfish with life. But it's not about me now. I live for my kids. I believe in a supreme being and I give thanks for all the good things in my life,” he said shortly after his comeback, in an interview with ESPNCricinfo’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sandeep-Kuppu-Rao-Sriram-c88493 Veera. A desire to re-organise his life, get back on track, and prove his worth once again was evident.
Samuels’ first match after his return to the international fold came in April 2011, when he was selected for an only T20I against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, to be played at Gros Islet in St Lucia on April 21.
“I'm a batsman that can turn it up and turn it down, and at this moment, it's definitely a wonderful feeling heading back to putting on the maroon colours and wearing the coconut on my chest,” he was quoted as saying in WI Cricnews with evident pleasure, after the squad was announced. “I'm looking forward to turning it up again in Twenty20 and turning it back down in 50-overs cricket, and maybe Test cricket to come. I've put in a lot of work and I'm just reaping the rewards at the moment and it's definitely for me to continue.”
Having eased back into cricket with the shortest format of the game, Samuels also went on to play the ODIs and Tests against the visitors during Pakistan's tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 Premier League. However, what was still lacking was that certain special something which would cement his place in the West Indies squad.
His next international assignment was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s tour of the West Indies in mid-2011, and Samuels continued to put forth mediocre performances – barring an unbeaten 78 during a Test at Bridgetown, and a half-century at Port of Spain, his outings remained average.
In order to fulfil broadcasting commitments, the West Indies and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 played a 2-match T20I series in September 2011, which the visitors managed to level, to the surprise of many. Samuels played a vital role in equalizing the series, scoring an unbeaten 35 in the second T20I and remaining firm at the crease amidst a flurry of wickets.
Continued in Part 3 …
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