Wednesday 2nd December 2009
Marlon Samuels targets Windies return
Marlon Samuels has targeted a swift return to the West Indies team once he completes a two-year suspension for links to an Indian gambler.
The 28-year-old was found guilty by a four-man West Indies Cricket Board disciplinary panel of discussing team information with Mukesh Kochar, but he has always maintained his innocence.
Former Windies captain Richie Richardson was one of three members of the panel - which also heard Kochar paid a US dollars 1,218 hotel bill for Samuels - to vote against the player, but later expressed his regret and questioned the ICC's minimum two-year sentence.
Samuels, whose ban expires on May 9, told Cricinfo: "Most definitely my intention is to return to the West Indies team. I have trained very hard and been very disciplined while I have been out of the game. The two years will be over soon.
"I want to bat number four for West Indies. I am very much looking forward to batting again with guys like Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. I think I could have a positive impact."
Chairman of selectors Clyde Butts added: "Once Marlon's suspension is over and he's playing cricket again he will be considered.
"Of course, the performances have to be there. When Marlon was suspended he was just starting to score a lot of runs and look the part. He's someone who could strengthen the middle order and he also offers part-time off-spin."
Reflecting on the original case, Samuels said: "I don't want to go into too much detail, but it really has been one man against the world. An appeal would not have worked. I had a lot of telephone conversations with all kinds of people, and they told me an appeal would be a waste of time."
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