Unfazed by the controversy surrounding his conversation with an alleged Indian bookie,
West Indies middle order batsman Marlon Samuels insists he is not
bothered by the "distraction" and is preparing to live up to captain
Brian Lara's expectations.
Samuels has had a good run in recent past and his scores in the last three games
that the West Indies have won read 100 not out (v Pakistan), 98 (v India) and
100 against Kenya on Monday at the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium.
"It's a good feeling to score a hundred coming from a
lot of distractions," Samuels said in an obvious reference to the recent
unpleasant mentioning of his name in India.
The stylish right-hander, however, said he was not losing sleep over the issue
and knew how to handle it.
"I've had a lot of distractions in my career and I know
how to take the negatives and turn them into positives. The greatest thing was
the support I have received from the crowd both in Kingston and in the country,
it was delightful," Samuels said.
Of late, Lara has been repeating that for the West Indies to
succeed at the World Cup, his team needed to find more matchwinners in
the ranks. He has been simultaneously cautioning against over-reliance on himself
and the other big names like Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and
Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
"I am aware of it. The captain spoke to me and said he
is looking for matchwinners and I told him I have no problem doing that,"
Samuels.
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