Sulieman Benn is quietly optimistic that his bumper regional cricket season will win him a place back in the West Indies team.
The tall Barbadian left-spinner, however, is conscious of the reality that he has slipped down the pecking order during the past year.
Benn has not represented the West Indies since the 2011 World Cup, but has quietly come back with an impressive season for Barbados in the WICB Regional Four-day Competition in which his 45 wickets at 14.71 apiece in eight matches made him the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
“I’m hopeful, but I know what is going on with the cricket now. There are some spinners around doing well. I just have to keep my fingers crossed,” Benn told WEEKENDSPORT when asked if he was expectant of an international recall.
“At the end of the day, you try to perform. Whatever you do, it goes here or there but at the end of the day, I try to perform for my country.
“It’s always a privilege to play for my country. If the selectors see fit that my performances have merited a place in the West Indies team, so be it.”
Since losing his West Indies place, the selectors have turned to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and off-spinner Shane Shillingford as their main spin options.
The 2012 regional season was the first time in a few years that Benn was available to Barbados for an entire first-class campaign.
International duties with the West Indies team limited his appearances for Barbados in recent seasons but he was determined to make this tournament count for something.
“It was just about being more mature, wanting things. West Indies cricket is around and I want to play a part in that again,” Benn said.
“Performing well will help. I want to perform and win cups. It didn’t work out this year. We’ll see what happens next time.”
While Barbados failed to secure the Headley/Weekes Trophy after crashing to defeat against Jamaica in the regional four-day final that ended on Monday at Sabina Park, Benn distinguished himself with a Man Of The Match performance.
He grabbed nine wickets in the match, including a third five-wicket haul of the season but the outcome of the match left him more disappointed than satisfied.
“I wouldn’t call it bittersweet. I didn’t feel good about winning the Man Of The Match and not being able to contribute to my team winning a first-class trophy,” he said.
“I bowled well, but we as a team didn’t bat well. There was nothing sweet about that.
“Not winning the Cup is saddening and very depressing,” Benn said.
