Barbados: Youth Cricketer Back And Raring To Go (23 Sep 1998)

23 September 1998

Barbados: Youth Cricketer Back And Raring To Go

The Barbados Nation

Former West Indies youth cricket team fast bowler Corey Collymore is back home and will be turning out for Cable & Wireless BET in the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 competition.

Collymore, who returned last week after a six-month stint in West Yorkshire, England, was expected to play for Mount Gay Maple, the team he was associated with as a schoolboy. However, he decided to take his chances with the Widey-based BET.

"I had a talk with a few players and we discussed a few things, career-wise. My brother (Gordon Maxwell), Courtney Browne and Floyd Reifer spoke to me and I decided to make the move," he said.

The 20-year-old former Alexandra schoolboy added that he had his eyes fixed on a place in the Barbados team for next month's Red Stripe Bowl One-Day competition.

"I have got to wait and see how the selectors judge me but I hope to be selected," he said. "I played a lot of one-dayers in England and feel on top of my game."

Collymore's bid for a place in the team is enhanced by the absence of fast bowling all-rounders Ottis Gibson, Vasbert Drakes and Mark Lavine. All three are expected to be playing professionally in South Africa.

He added that he was fully recovered from the side strain which sidelined him earlier this year.

"I worked hard in England and feel as though I regained my fitness. I am fit enough to perform at the level required."

In his short career Collymore has been struck down by injury twice. Before the side strain he was the victim of a stress fracture of the lower vertebra which required a year's rest.

While in England he captured 40 wickets for Hall Park Cricket Club in the Airdale and Wharfdale League. His best bowling was six for 15 against Bilton in the final match.

"It was good experience, playing in different conditions, and it helped me to develop my cricket and myself in general," he said.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)