West Indies keeper Dowrich expects smooth transition to ODIs

IANS

Potchefstroom (South Africa), Nov 10 (IANS) Wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich believes his transition to the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) format will not be a difficult one, as he gears up for his first-ever 50-overs series with the West Indies cricket side starting next week.

The 25-year-old was a late inclusion in the 15-man squad for the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe against the hosts and Sri Lanka, after veteran batsman Marlon Samuels pulled out, reports CMC.

Dowrich has been impressive in his eight Tests to date since making his debut last year and said he was thrilled by the prospect of playing One-day cricket.

"I'm very excited. Things seem to be going my way this year. I've been putting in a lot of work in the background, and it seems to be paying off," the Barbadian said here on Wednesday during the ongoing one-week camp.

The series starts on November 14.

"I'm excited about the One-day tour, it's a new chapter for me. I haven't really played a lot of One-day cricket but I think it is something to look forward, and it is something I am very interested in as well."

However, he said there would be tweaks needed for both his batting and glove work, in order to be successful in the ODI format.

"For me, One-day cricket is about being smart. You have to look to bat 50 overs, but you still have to be positive in your intent and I'm a positive person, so I don't think it will be a big transition for me, but just being selective and being able to pick gaps and that sort of stuff will be important," he pointed out.

"In terms of the keeping, (I have to be) a little more explosive and mobile in terms of movement. That's all I have to really work on going into the One-day series."

Dowrich made headlines recently as the West Indies stunned Pakistan to win the third and final Test in Sharjah by five wickets recently.

He stroked an upbeat, unbeaten 60 to help pull the West Indies out of trouble at 67 for five, and steer them to their target of 154 on the final day of the Test match.

Dowrich said the victory -- the only one of the nine-match tour for West Indies -- had been a huge boost for the Caribbean side.

"Obviously, the vibe is very good around the setup right now. After winning the game, the guys are chirpy and you can see it in terms of the practice sessions," he noted.

The West Indies will leave here at weekend and play their first game of the Tri-Nations Series against Sri Lanka next Wednesday in Harare.

--IANS

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