Fit-again Kemar Roach eyeing New Zealand comeback

West Indies speedster Kemar Roach is eyeing a return from injury against the touring New Zealand team next month.

The 25-year-old has not played international cricket in nearly a year after being sidelined with a shoulder injury that required surgery last November, reports CMC. He had been picked for the tour of India that same month but was forced to return home without playing a game.

Roach said he had worked hard to regain fitness and hoped to force his way into the West Indies squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting off June 8 in Jamaica.

"I have really missed playing. Seven months out of cricket is a long time and now I am at the point where I can play again, I want to be able to represent Maple, Barbados and West Indies," Roach told the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) website.

"I am very confident that once I get some more sessions in and some strength work, I will be raring to go for the first Test against New Zealand, if selected."
He added: "I had three months of strenuous therapy with Dr. Jacqueline King and Marita Marshall. It was tough because the shoulder was very weak but they did a great job along with Shannon Lashley (trainer) in getting me back strong again.

"After a surgery like this it is not going to be a hundred percent but I am definitely fit enough to play any length of cricket, whether it be a Test, four-day, one-day or a T20 match."

"I was working with Vasbert and also had some sessions with Ottis. I was in the gym earlier in the year and then the bowling aspect of it started in April. It was basic stuff as in the rotation of the arm and the fundamentals of fast bowling," Roach pointed out.
"I practised with Maple the entire week before the game on Saturday. I was working with Corey and he helped me to get my technique back and some basic stuff about bowling.
"Corey watched me bowl on Saturday. He gave me some pointers on what he thought about my bowling and he told me about a few flaws that can be worked on in the next couple of weeks. It was a happy atmosphere and a very relaxed environment."