Grenadian Devon Smith eager to win back his Maroon cap

By Ravendra Madholall

Talented West Indies opening batsman Devon Sheldon Smith is eager to reappear in the Moroon colour team soon again after being overlooked for the past year owing to some “indifferent performances.”
The thirty-year-old Windward Islands cricketer has so far featured in 33 tests and 42 one-day internationals but was omitted from the Caribbean side in late 2011.
He has been one of the most prolific batsmen in regional cricket in the past decade but failed to transform that phenomenal form into the international scene.
On his recent trip to Canada, the Grenadian player said he is very optimistic of winning back his maroon cap. He related that hard work and commitment will have to be at the forefront for the next West Indies Cricket Board regional four-day tournament which is scheduled to commence in early January.
Smith was also in Canada earlier this year representing an International All Star XI against a combination of Canada and Asia players at the Rogers Centre in Down Town, Toronto where he copped the man-of-the-match award with his enterprising, boundary-studded 63, but in a losing cause.
“I want to make back the West Indies team next year but I know I have to keep making runs and maintaining a good form at the highest level,” he stated.
However, Smith is very hopeful. “I [am] committed to the game and I am confident of regaining a place in the team for the next big series,” he indicated.
With a satisfactory average of 36.53 at the regional level and having accumulated over eight thousands runs, the classical left-hander is ready to build on that foundation.
“I have scored heavily at the domestic level but just can’t make that sort of progress on the international scene which is a kind of disappointment but if you want to make an impression at that level, I know I have got to work even harder and make my performances count,” the occasional off-break bowler pointed out.
He further mentioned that application at the crease is the key to score runs consistently and feels he has that ability to do it. He scored a double-century (212) for Windward Islands in a four-day tournament and learnt that he applied himself diligently to reach that landmark.
“Batting is about application; the talent may be there but if you can’t apply yourself at the crease, then you can’t score runs; I strongly believe that it is an important element in your game and I am patient enough to have that asset,” Smith said.
Born in Saint Patrick in Grenada, Smith took up his game very early representing his country at the age of 14 when he played in the WICB regional under-15 tournament. His talent was spotted there.
He then went on to play at the under-19 level. At that level Devon came to prominence with some impressive innings for Windward Islands. He was subsequently selected to represent the West Indies under-19 team.
He dominated a series against host England in 2001 scoring two consecutive centuries and immediately after returning home, Devon was drafted into the senior side. He did not disappoint as he went on to make runs with consummate ease.
Two years later, Smith got his first international call up to play against the mighty Australia at home and he responded with an attractive half-century but since then he has been in and out of the team.
His optimism of making it back the team is high and Smith is anticipating another productive season in the next regional four-day tournament that is forthcoming.