‘I see myself as a fighter’ – Kirk Edwards

Roseau, Dominica – Newcomer Kirk Edwards wrote his name in the cricket history books on Saturday with a superb century in just his second Test innings as West Indies continued to fight against India in the Third Digicel Test match at Windsor Park in Dominica.

The tall right-hander made an assured 110 in more than four hours at the crease and became the first man to make a century at Test cricket’s newest venue.

Asked about his innings the 26-year-old said: “It is a special feeling to get a Test century on debut for the West Indies but I would have liked to carry on and make a bigger score for the team. Test cricket is about fighting and I see myself as a fighter. We have a lot of fighting characters in the team and we will continue the fight in this match.

He also became the 13th West Indian to make a century on debut. His knock pushed the home side to 224-6 in the second innings – an overall lead of 82 with a day left in the match. During his innings Edwards had the ideal partner in Shiv Chanderpaul (73 not out) in a stand of 161.

Edwards played a number of brilliant shots and also showed great determination and situational awareness. He counted nine fours and a six off 195 balls. He was cheered by the vocal and colourful crowd of over 7,000 fans – including his father Glendon, who made the trip from Barbados.

“We need the support of the people. I had a great reception from the crowd here in Dominica. It’s great here. I was really impressed and happy with the support that we received here and the way the crowd supported us really urged us on.”

Speaking about his temperament, Edwards said he never shies away from a challenge.

“I’m always prepared mentally. I visualise what I want and I go after it. I want to be a pillar in West Indies cricket so all these things drive me to achieve my goals. As a batsman I bat time. I go about it to bat ball by ball, session by session. When you do that the runs will come. It is a matter of spending time at the crease and building an innings.
“I am self-inspired. I know what I want to achieve and I know how I want to get there. There will be obstacles but I always aim for my goals. I take all the negatives and try to turn them into positives. The more people tell me “I can’t, I can’t’, the more I try to go out and give my best and prove them wrong and show I can. The youngsters (in the team) need the support, we won’t come on the stage and ‘boom’ get success

Edwards is a student of the game and from very young he would watch international cricket at Kensington Oval. He spoke of the players he admired and those who inspired him as a boy growing up.

“As a young guy growing up and watching cricket I used to like to watch Viv Richards. I used to love to see Viv Richards on the highlights package (on television). It was a proud moment for me to go to the Kensington Oval – at the old Oval – and see Brian Lara and Carl Hooper play. I used to think to myself that one day I would like to be out there playing as well, so for me playing for the West Indies is a dream come true,” Edwards added.