North Sound (Antigua), May 27 (IANS) Guyanese opening batsman Leon Johnson says he intends to use the three-day warm-up match against Australia, which starts on Wednesday, to force his way back into the West Indies side.
Johnson, who is leading the President’s XI against the Aussies, was left out of the Caribbean squad for the recent three-match Test series against England which the Windies came from behind to draw. He is among several fringe players looking to catch the eye of selectors in the first class match against Australia at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here, reports CMC.
“I was left out of the team for the England series and coming up now against Australia two good performances will give me a chance to get back into the international side,” said Johnson, who has played in four Tests and has 275 runs at an average of 39.28.
“Australia is definitely a difficult team to play against. I have never played against them but from hearing and looking at them they are very competitive. Even in this three-day game they will be very competitive and looking at the make-up of the team they have 7-8 world class players.”
Johnson is in fact one of two players in the President’s XI with international matches under his belt, but is the only member of the squad that has played Tests. The match will be Australia’s only warm-up ahead of their two-Test series against West Indies, beginning June 3.
“Looking at the squad assembled by the selectors obviously the players selected are players who have done well during the regional tournament probably not just this year but over a period of time,” said Johnson.
“So we are just looking to come out and give a good show of ourselves against the No.2 Test team in the world and the No.1 one-day team. So a good performance here and there might give the selectors something to think about.”
WICB President’s XI squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Carlos Brathwaite, Sharmarh Brooks, Rajindra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Jason Dawes, Shane Dowrich, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Jason Mohammed, Tyrone Theophile, Jomel Warrican.