KINGSTON – Jamaican Test hopeful Jermaine Blackwood has set himself a triple digit target against Bangladesh “A” in a bid to force his way into the West Indies senior team.
Blackwood, who has been included in a 13-man West Indies High Performance Centre (WIHPC) squad to face touring Bangladesh side in a seven-match series starting later this month, said he planned to make full use of the opportunity handed to him.
“I would like to score at least one century and a half-century in the four-day matches and look to take it from there,” said Blackwood, who topped the batting charts in the recently concluded regional four-day tournament with 611 runs, including knocks of 94 and 118 in the Headley/Weekes Trophy final.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to go out there and make some runs and let the selectors see what I can do.”
WIHPC and Bangladesh “A” are set to play two four-day matches, three 50-over contests and two Twenty20s in a tour that runs from May 26 to June 15 in Barbados.
The 22-year-old Jamaican’s first-class average has now moved to 34.07 from 14 matches.
“It has been going well for me this season,” said Blackwood.
“But I did not get as many centuries as I would have liked and would want to use this series to change that.”
The first four-day match is scheduled for Windward Cricket Club at Lucas Street, St Philip, Barbados in the east of the island, with the second game carded for the historic Kensington Oval from June 2.
Players are expected to assemble in Barbados this week for a camp leading up to the series. (CMC)