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Benn: Someone had to put their hand up for the team

28/06/10

Sulieman Benn sees himself as the man to stand up and be counted when things are down for the West Indies team. The tall left-arm spinner did just that on Sunday when he bowled 31 overs and took 4-59 to help the Windies keep South Africa in check on the second day of the third and final Digicel Test match at Kensington Oval.

On the first day the Windies made just 231 and needed a special bowling performance, otherwise the Proteas would have scored freely and heavily. South Africa ended the day on 285-6. Benn stepped up his game and had the best day of his Test career so far.

“Someone had to put his hand up and make a difference and today that someone was me. I knew what was required for the team, we spoke about it with the coach and the captain, and it worked out. There is still work to do … we have to bowl them out. It’s all about hard work and dedication. My task at hand is for the team. It’s always nice to go out there, and perform for your country,” said the 28-year-old.

Benn was playing in front members of his family and close friends and said that helped to inspire him. “The little crowd support you get is always important, and with good team spirit, your players backing you, it helps,” he said.

He dismissed South Africa’s main batsman and will be looking for his third five-wicket haul in the last five matches. He started Sunday with one wicket and in the morning session had skipper Graeme Smith snapped up at forward short-leg by Dale Richards for 70.

After lunch Benn produced a masterclass to set up Jacques Kallis and then bowl him down. The previous ball had spit and turned sharply and it was not surprising that Kallis left the next one alone but it came in with the arm on the identical trajectory to hit the off-stump. In the final session, Benn kept de Villiers (73) in check and eventually had him well caught behind by Denesh Ramdin.

So far in the Digicel Test Series he has taken 13 wickets at 33 each. Midway in the day the Windies were held up by a century partnership between A.B deVilliers and Ashwell Prince but the Windies heads never dropped.

“The pitch kind of got better for batting as the innings progressed. We tried our best. We stayed in the game and we kept fighting all day long. You always have to think that way. We are 1-0 down in a series, you have to think that you could get a result out of it in your favour. You can’t just say die and go with your tail between your legs. We have to try hard. We have to be positive in what we are doing. Our second innings is crucial to our game plan, and we have to bat properly,” Benn said.