Barath keen to make return count

West Indies opener Adrian Barath, who has been recalled to the national side for the final ODI against India in Jamaica, is keen to forge a successful partnership with fellow opener Lendl Simmons.

"We have come a long way together," Barath said. "I [have] played with him from my first outing on the first-class stage and we enjoy batting together. I have been playing together with Lendl for a few years now and we have a very good understanding. This will be our first time playing together for the West Indies and I see this as a great opportunity and we will be looking to do the job in the middle."

Simmons, a fellow Trinidadian, has been in good form for West Indies. He is the team's leading scorer with 171 runs from the four ODIs played against India so far.

Barath, the 21-year-old opener, has been undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the 2011 World Cup. He recently spent a week practicing at the Sagicor High Performance Centre and said that he was working hard on his physical fitness. "I was with the team when the matches were played in Trinidad, so I had a few hits in the nets with the other members of the squad. I feel I'm in good form and I'm hitting the ball quite well.

"During the time off I worked hard on my game and also on my physical fitness. Things have come together very well. It is very good back to be representing West Indies and, as always, I'm looking to put in a good performance out there in the middle."

Though India have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ODI series, Barath, who has played eight ODIs and averages 32, said the final game would be a good opportunity to get among the runs ahead of the Test series. "Even though we have lost the series, we will be looking to win the match and take some form and confidence into the Test series which starts here next week. As a player you always want to do your best when you take the field, so every match counts."