Oshane Thomas, the young West Indies pacer, wishes to be counted among the greats of the game and understands success in Test match cricket is the best route towards realisation of his longstanding dream.
Thomas, 23, has only played 19 ODIs and 14 T20Is for the West Indies so far, but he recently came closer to wearing the traditional whites when he was picked in reserves for the tour of England in July.
Read Also: David Gower lauds West Indies' "spirit of co-operation" on agreeing for UK tour
"I definitely want to play Test cricket; I want to do well in all three formats," he was quoted as saying by 'Jamaica Observer'.
"Test cricket is really the ultimate that everyone wants to play to be great. You don't want to just be an average cricketer; you want to be among the greats."
Thomas first received a call-up to play Tests during last year's home series against England but didn't get a game.
"I didn't get to make my debut, but hopefully (I will) this time around," he said, being part of the 11 reserves for the UK trip.
The whole 25-man touring party is expected to arrive in England for the series this Tuesday (June 9). Players will go through a three-week quarantine period at Old Trafford before playing the first Test from July 8 in Southampton and moving back to Manchester for the last two games.
Thomas' bid to play Test cricket, he says, has been backed by current head coach Phil Simmons himself.
"Coach Phil (and I), we always have a talk. He says I can't be bowling that fast - probably bowling the fastest in the Caribbean - and not play in his Test team."
"I just want to relax, bowl, put the ball in the right areas and let the ball do the work. Even if I'm not playing I'll be training and keeping my fitness up. If I'm not playing I want to learn as much as a can," said the youngster, who escaped serious injuries when he met an accident in February this year.
In March, however, Thomas was back on his feet and claimed a five-wicket haul in the first T20I in West Indies' 2-0 away sweep against Sri Lanka.
"Coming back from the Sri Lanka tour - a good series (and taking) a five-wicket haul - and then the (COVID-19) pandemic just came into play and no cricket. Last week is my first week back bowling on a pitch. I had been doing some little bowling here and there."
"I'm very happy to be back bowling and I'm looking forward to playing Test cricket. It's just up to me as a person; I just need to be fit and ready, and I should be in the Test team," he concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
