Fudadin looks to build Test career

Assad Fudadin, the 26 year-old Guyanese left-hand batsman who is part of the West Indies squad for the third Test against Australia in Roseau, has said he is looking forward to experiencing Test cricket.

"I am feeling relaxed and confident at the moment," Fudadin said. "Everyone has welcomed me into the team. I knew some of the others from before -- I played with Shiv [Chanderpaul] and Narsingh [Deonarine] in Guyana. I also played with others in the youth teams and the West Indies A Team. It's just a matter of fitting in and doing what is required."

Fudadin made his first-class debut in 2004 and his selection has come after a strong showing in this season's Regional 4-day tournament where he ended up as the second highest run-getter. He scored 576 runs that came at an average of 48 including two centuries.

"I was watching the (Test) series very closely before I was selected and you could see the determination and the commitment by the players in the team. I'm happy to come into that kind of environment.

"It is every boy's dream, once he starts playing cricket, to play at the highest level and I am closer to my dream. But the dream doesn't end there. I'm looking to take every opportunity I get and make the most of it and build a career from there."

Fudadin started playing cricket at a young age although his primary interest had been athletics. He excelled in sprints and jumps and wanted to represent Guyana in track and field events. However, in his early teens, he switched his attention to cricket.

"Some people told me I had 'it' in me and could go places if I put in the work. I followed the good advice. Two years later, I was in the Guyana Under-15 team and that year I was in the West Indies team which played in the [Under-15] World Cup in England.

"I progressed through the ranks playing at the Under-19 level for the West Indies but I did not have the success that I was looking for. I kept working hard and I'm happy that the selectors have put their faith in me."