Roberts make West Indies debut (13 March 1999)

13 March 1999

Roberts make West Indies debut

The Trinidad Express

Lincoln Roberts becomes the first Tobago-born cricketer to represent the West Indies when he plays in the Second Test against Australia at Sabina Park today.

Roberts, the tall, 24-year-old right-handed batsman, was named last night in the eleven, replacing Roland Holder who strained ligaments in his left ankle early on the first day of the First Test. Roberts was in the 15 for the First Test but only fielded as substitute.

Roberts's promise has been evident since he was a teenager when he scored a hundred for the West Indies in an Under-19 "Test" at Bourda in 1995 but has only begun to be fulfilled at senior level this season.

He made his first first-class hundred, 151, for Trinidad and Tobago against the Leeward Islands in Anguilla and averaged just under 50 in six Busta Cup matches to head his team's averages. T&T coach Bryan Davis said Roberts has shown greater application and concentration throughout the season.

"He has appreciated that he should play every ball on its merit and be more selective in the shots he plays," Davis said. "He has natural talent and simply needs to concentrate on the basics of batting to go far."

Roberts played for the President's XI against the Australians in the second match of the tour, scoring 38 and 0.

He and off-spinner Nehemiah Perry, 30, are the two newcomers in the XI. Jamaican Perry will be at home in every sense. He plays for Kingston CC who own Sabina Park.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)