Jomel Warrican (right) celebrating the wicket of Nuwan Pradeep on day one in the second Test in Colombo.
©REUTERS / Action Images
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Cannot ask for a better start to my career - Jomel Warrican
West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who took four wickets on his debut on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, is pleased with the start to his career.
Warrican’s figures of 4-67 meant that he became the fourth left-arm spinner for the West Indies to take four wickets or more on his debut.
The 23-year-old admitted that he was feeling nervous at the start, but all that went away once he began to bowl more overs.
“At the beginning the jitters were there.
“But as I got into the overs, I felt a lot better and the pressure was gone.
“I can’t ask for a better start.
“Obviously I would have liked a fifer at the beginning of my career but a four-for, I will take it any day.”
Prior to the start of the game, West Indies legend, Sir Garry Sobers presented Warrican with his Test cap.
Revealing that Sir Sobers had great expectations from him, Warrican stated that the legend’s warm words of encouragement were very heartening to hear.
“The one thing that stuck in my mind of what he said was that, ‘You have many games to come’ and he expected great things for me.
“It felt special for a great man that those things came out of his mouth.
“It really warmed my heart – that’s the truth."
Warrican further disclosed that Sir Sobers had given him plenty of advice while playing domestic cricket for the Barbados team.
“To be honest Sir Garry has been coming from Barbados so he has been talking to the Barbados team during the first-class season.
“I’m accustomed to him talking to the guys and talking to me personally – even coming to the net session and having one-on-ones with me.
“He also gave me a lot of advice and helped me on some different skills when I was playing for Barbados.
“Even in his talking with the West Indies team reminds you, “I’ve got to do this; I’ve got to do that” and remember that you’ve got to stick to your basics and not complicate stuff.”
Sri Lanka were reduced to 90 for five at one stage as the West Indies pacers bowled disciplined lines and lengths to strike regularly.
After the pacers rattled the top order, it was Warrican and Devendra Bishoo who made quick work of the lower order, bowling out the hosts for 200 runs.
Despite the early nerves, Warrican acknowledged that he managed to calm himself by sticking to the basics he developed in domestic cricket.
“When the captain said, ‘It’s your turn to bowl,’ I was excited, but at the same time, nervous.
“When I bowled the first ball and got hit for four, I thought, ‘Couldn’t start any worse than that’.
“But then I thought, ‘That’s history. I can’t bring it back.
“I have to deal with the next ball – that’s the present.’
“I told myself to look at it as a normal game, to do the same things I do in club cricket and got me where I am right now.
“That’s just to be focused, confident and concentrate on your discipline.”
At the end of the day’s play, West Indies were positioned at 17 for one with Kraigg Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo at the crease.
© Cricket World 2015
