Pedro Collins aims at 100

ST JOHN’S: Just four scalps short of the 100 Test wicket mark, West Indies’ comeback man Pedro Collins said he is eager to achieve the milestone in the second Test against India.

Back to the side after an year’s gap, thanks to the hamstring injury to his half-brother Fidel Edwards, Collins is hoping to be named in the playing XI against India at the Beauseujour Stadium in St Lucia and subsequently breaking into the club.

“It’s on my mind, that’s for sure. I’m on 96 wickets and I’ve been there for a while,” he said. “It would be really great to get the four, and more, this  weekend and help the West Indies take the lead in the series. If I reach 100 that would be great, and I’d be joining a list of legendary Barbadians who achieve that milestone,” he said.

If he reaches the mark, Collins will be the sixth Barbadian in the club which also includes Wes Hall (192), Garry Sobers (235), Malcolm Marshall (376), Joel Garner (259) and Vanburn Holder (109). “Some great men . . . not bad company,” Collins added. An “eager and excited” Collins also had some tips from his injured brother and the left-arm pacer hopes to make his mark in the match. “My last Test match was in Trinidad in April last year, and my last One-Day International was in St Lucia in May last year, so it’s been a while out of the international scene. It’s time to make up,” the 29-year-old pacer said.

“I’m eager and excited to be back. I am feeling really good and really strong. I have been putting in some training with the Barbados team, preparing for the Stanford 20/20 tournament, and I have also been putting in some long hours in the gym with my personal trainer Shannon Goddard,” he added. In July last, Collins was among the players who boycotted the tour of Sri Lanka and in September. Of late, he was playing for Wanderers in the Barbados Cricket Association’s Division 1 competition. “I have been getting some wickets for my club, so I’m inspired to do well for the West Indies,” said Collins.

“I am thrilled to be recalled, especially at a time like this when the West Indies are doing so well. I watched the One-Day series and the first Test against India and I have a good idea where to bowl at the Indian batsmen. Right now the team is doing really well and I’m sure the aim is to continue the momentum, from here up until next year’s World Cup and beyond,” he added.