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Posted by orrett on December 31, 1969, 6:00 pm || Total Votes: 0
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West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels received high praise from his captain Brian Lara Monday for his match-winning century against Kenya in their Cricket World Cup (CWC) warm-up match.
Samuels scored exactly 100 and then retired out, as West Indies strode to a 21-run victory over the Africans at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.
"Marlon Samuels has the ability. We have known that since he was 16 years old and since he came into first-class cricket. Now he is getting more of an opportunity and is responding well," Lara told reporters after the match.
Lara, who did not bat on Monday, believes Samuels, who has failed to deliver on the huge promise he showed when he debuted in international cricket as a 19-year-old, is finally ready to realise his potential just in time for the World Cup.
"We are really appreciative that he is coming to the party just at this moment before the World Cup. He is in the right frame of mind, mentally now,” Lara.
The 26-year-old Samuels, set to play in CWC 2007 in spite of an ICC anti-corruption investigation into match-fixing allegations, hit seven fours and two sixes in a polished 115-ball knock that excited the fans at the Trelawny venue that will stage the official CWC opening ceremony on Sunday.
"It always is very special. Every time Marlon scores runs you can expect something special from him and again today was a very good innings for us and you just have to hope that he carries on," Lara said.
Choosing to bat, West Indies scored 268 for six from their 50 overs.
Chris Gayle supported with 75 and added 70 for the third wicket with Samuels to give backbone to the West Indies’ total.
Chasing 269 to win, Kenya tallied 247 for seven from their 50 overs.
West Indies play another practice game against India on Friday before they open the World Cup with a game against Pakistan on March 13.
Samuels was accused last month by Indian police of sharing team information with an alleged bookie Mukesh Kochar, ahead of a One-Day International between India and West Indies on January 21 in Nagpur.
Samuels has protested his innocence but the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit has launched an investigation into the matter.
Indian police in Nagpur claimed they had taped conversations between Samuels and Kochar while they discussed team information.
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