Collymore back and fired up

Four years ago when Australia visited the West Indies, Corey Collymore took on the Aussies and looked to be the genuine article.

Four years on the world champions are on their way back to the region and Collymore is still waiting for his second West Indies Test cap.

The tall, accurate seam bowler has struggled with injury, but this has not fazed him. His aim for now is to do well for Barbados in the upcoming Carib Beer International Challenge matches and take it from there. The Bajans meet Trinidad and Tobago in tomorrow's semifinal at Kensington Oval.

"I'm focused on doing well for Barbados and helping my country to win the tournament," Collymore said in a rare interview after yesterday's training session at Queen's Park.

"I just want to put in my best performances and leave it up to the selectors. I know what it is like at the top [in West Indies team] and my aim is to stay there, but I'll just take it step by step."

Since recovering from a near career-ending back injury three years ago, the 25-year-old Collymore has been selected only for One-Day Internationals by the West Indies selectors.

He was a member of the ill-starred West Indies side at the recent World Cup in South Africa, but did not bowl in his only match against Bangladesh at Benoni.

He has chalked up 32 One-Dayers and this has left him branded as a "One-Day player" and not suited to the longer version of the game.

"I rate myself as a cricketer in the true sense of the word, not a One-Day cricketer," he said. "I have taken over 60 wickets in about 16 matches for Barbados in four-day cricket so that speaks for itself."

In his career he has managed 90 wickets in 28 first-class matches since his debut five years ago. His best figures are six for 109 against Guyana at Kensington Oval.

"I have fully overcome my back injuries, but this has caused me to be more chest-on and as a result I have lost a bit of my pace. I still move the ball around and I feel good about the way I'm bowling right now.

"I need to put in a bit more work to get everything in the right place and by Friday I'll be ready."