Da Silva reaping benefits from specialized keeping camp at CCG
Da Silva reaping benefits from specialized keeping camp at CCG
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Test wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva headlines a specialist wicket-keeping camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The hero from the West Indies sensational Test Series triumph over England earlier this year, is joined by West Indies T20 International keeper Devon Thomas, as well as Tevin Imlach and Daniel Williams as they go through the rudiments of glovework.
They have been invited as part of the CWI Emerging Players Academy programme and are working closely with wicket-keeper coach of Nick Wilton and fielding coach Jamal Smith.
“I am always working on my keeping and also working on my fitness. It is great that CWI brought me to Antigua for this week to work with the coaches and improve my skills as much as I can, so I can’t thank them enough for that. When I’m keeping well I tend to also bat well so the job behind the stumps is just as important to the team as the job in front the stumps. I want to learn as much as I can and improve in all areas. Once both aspects of my game are working well I will make a great contribution to the team,’ Da Silva said.
He also recalled his brilliant maiden Test century against England in Grenada which helped West Indies capture the Richards/Botham Trophy. He made 100 not out at the Grenada National Stadium in March which led West Indies to the series win. He also performed creditably in the recent 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in the Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled – Friendship Test Series, presented by Walton. So far he has played 16 Tests and has effected 57 catches and four stumpings.
“It’s something you can’t ever really forget. It will always be there, and I will always remember how it felt and keep wanting more. I always want to get back to that milestone of scoring a match-wining hundred for the West Indies and just want to do it against all the teams in the world. But it takes small steps and lots of work behind the scenes and that’s one of the reasons I’m here at CCG to continue the hard work,” he said.
“We had a very good team performance in that series here in Antigua with victory by seven wickets and then took that moment onto Saint Lucia where we won by 10 wickets. I can’t commend the boys enough for the fantastic job, especially the bowlers. Kemar, knowing the legend he is, reaching 250 wickets and Alzarri getting the most wickets for us, and the while bowling unit did a great job.”
Wilton is a keeper coach who played for Sussex in the English County Championship and Smith is a former Barbados keeper who also worked with the West Indies Rising Stars U19s camps last year. Later in the camp West Indies women’s players Shemaine Campbelle and Rashada Williams will also join.