‘IT’S GOING TO BE SPECIAL’

THEY SAY home is where the heart is, and for West Indies batsman Brandon King, that saying cannot be truer as the Jamaican is relishing the opportunity of playing in the third Test against Australia on home soil, as the historic day-night clash approaches at Sabina Park.

The venue is close to King’s heart, being the home ground of his local club, Kingston CC; and if there is anyone in the West Indies set-up who knows the wicket, it’s him.

With firsthand knowledge of the conditions, King expects a balanced surface that offers opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers.

“Sabina is usually a fair wicket, something for everyone. The last two pitches were quite challenging, maybe even bowler-friendly, but I expect this one to be more balanced. Hopefully, it sets up a good contest.”

King, who has previously enjoyed success in white-ball cricket at the iconic venue, is eagerly anticipating the landmark occasion, the first-ever day-night Test in Jamaica. With a plethora of support expected from family and friends, the right hander is eager to get out on the park and tick off another milestone in his fledgling cricketing career.

SPECIAL FEELING

“It’s a great feeling to play at home. I’ve played a few white-ball games here before, and it felt incredible. This being the first day-night Test in Sabina, it’s going to be special. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The right-hander emphasised that he will be trying to maintain consistency in his approach after a promising performance in the previous Test.

“I just want to stick to the same formula, the way I prepared and batted in the last game. I’ll come into this match with the same mindset and see how it goes.”

Facing Australia, the most experienced side in pink-ball cricket, presents a stern challenge, one King is embracing with enthusiasm.

“It’s a challenge, but an exciting one. You always want to compete against the best, no matter the format. Australia has played the most pink-ball games, so they’re very experienced. It’s a good test for us, and I’m looking forward to it.”

King went on to laud the West Indies bowlers for their impressive performances in the series thus far, particularly their ability to take 40 wickets against the world’s top-ranked side.

“The bowlers have been fantastic. To take 40 wickets against Australia is incredible. I’ve seen the hard work they put in during training, and it’s paying off. They bring great intensity, which motivates us as batsmen to step up and help win games.”

Despite surrendering the series, the 30-year-old is keen to finish the series on a high.

“If you look at the last two games, we’ve been competing with them up to a certain point and then kind of fall away a little bit. But the reality is, we’re playing against the number-one team in the world. So for us to win, or to challenge for a win, we need to be consistent in all aspects of the game right through to the end. So we’re just looking to improve on those little ‘one-percenters’ to see if we can carry through this time.”