G Wattley: I'll be back, says David Williams (26 Sep 1998)

26 September 1998

I'll be back, says David Williams

By Garth Wattley

He has had more than his fair share of disappointment. But even when the die seems cast, David Williams, Trinidad and Tobago and, recently, West Indies wicketkeeper, is still not ready to hang up his gloves.

Williams, 34, having played in just 11 Tests in six years, was omitted from the 16-man West Indies party to tour South Africa for the historic five-Test series in November.

Windward Islands wicketkeeper batsman Junior Murray was given the nod ahead of him as was Ridley Jacobs of the Leeward Islands.

But despite the Windies rebuff, Williams still has his eyes on a Test place. "It's not quite over as yet," a typically upbeat Williams told the Express from New York yesterday. "I'm not going to give up. And I'm going to try and put pressure on them (the West Indies selectors) again."

In spite of his optimism, however, Williams admits to disappointment over the loss of his Test place.

After playing in five of the six Tests against England this year, the first of which produced his highest Test score of 65, Williams was dropped for the final match in Antigua following a series of ducks. "Willie" readily admits that his batting form was poor.

Even in the regional President's Cup tournament, he scored just 73 runs and averaged a mere 12.16. By comparison, in the previous two seasons, his aggregate was over 300 and the average above 30. "I was very disappointed with my batting performances," Williams says.

"It just was a bad season. Things just did not work out. But I have no doubt that I can do the job with the bat."

Williams contends further that "after having done pretty well in Pakistan, I faltered a bit against England with the bat. But I think I should have gotten another chance on another tour... or least before they discarded me, especially after doing so well in the First Test against England." Murray was the man who took Williams's place for the final match at the Antigua Recreation ground when the Windies wrapped up the series 3-1.

And Williams, ironically, is taking solace in his rival's recall. "Just looking at the fact that they went back to Murray, that gives me hope to carry on. People thought that was the end of Junior Murray. But it just shows that any number can play." "Willie" hopes the next number to come up will again be his.

And the fit 34-year-old is currently trying to work himself back into international form. Today Williams and his team Sims Sports (New York) will be involved in a 40-overs semifinal of the Brooklyn League.

Williams has already tasted success with Sims, the team having captured the knockout trophy. But the T&T keeper is hoping his present form takes him beyond the weekend. "It's pretty good," he says.

"Looking at the (Red Stripe Bowl) tournament, I think this is great for me." And speaking about the squad he will join early next week, Williams says, "I think we have a very good team and we are in a good group."

Now all he needs, he thinks, is for the T&T effort in Guyana to be graced by good, even great glovework.

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