After injuries kept all-rounder Keemo Paul out of the West Indies team for a prolonged period, he was fast-tracked back into the squad after five rounds of Regional Four-Day cricket.
Lead Selector Desmond Haynes indicated that he was impressed with Paul’s aggression, and it is an aspect he wants the West Indies team to have when they battle top sides in the world.
Prior to his selection in the final One-Day International against Pakistan in Multan, Paul had last featured in an ODI in February 2020 against Sri Lanka and his last match across format was in November of that year.
On his ODI return, Paul took 2-57 in nine overs and made 21 from 11 balls.
Over the years, Paul has been seen as a key player in death-bowling in white-ball cricket and a handy power-hitter.
However, during the Four-Day championship, his pace and aggression were what impressed many.
“I observed a few games in the Four-Day competition in Trinidad and I was very impressed with Keemo. I think what I am looking for as a selector, I want to have our bowlers competing, I don’t want it to seem like we are the friendliest team in the world, we are the nicest guys, I want to see us with some attitude where we are in people’s faces and we are telling people we are here to compete,” Haynes stated.
“We might not be high up in the table, but we are here to compete among the best and I think that Keemo Paul showed me [he is] that type of person.”
In his 43 matches across formats for West Indies, Paul has taken 55 wickets.
In his ‘second-coming’, the all-rounder is hoping to be more fruitful, as he learned how better to manage his heavy workload.
Paul ended the recently concluded Four-Day Championship with 21 wickets, the second most in the tournament, but Haynes was concerned about the manner in which he was used.
“What my concern was, watching Keemo Paul in the Four-Day competition, was Guyana [Harpy Eagles] was over-using him as far as I am concerned. Someone coming back from injury you should be looking after these guys some more, so, when they get the opportunity to play for West Indies they can give us a lot,” the Lead Selector contended.
“We don’t want to be in a situation where we are selecting guys and when they come into the squad, they can’t give us 100% support. I was very impressed and I think he can play a big role in our one-day side.”
The 24-year-old was named in both the West Indies T20I and ODI squads for the white-ball tour by Bangladesh, which starts on Saturday in Dominica.
After this weekend’s double-header on the island, the action moves to Guyana for the third T20I then three ODIs at the National Stadium, Providence.
