Out-of-favour Jamaica and West Indies batsman, Danza Hyatt, says despite a fall in fortunes in recent years, he is still optimistic of regaining a spot in both teams.
Hyatt, who was axed from the West Indies in 2012 and Jamaica’s one-day and four-day teams last season, was in outstanding form for his club St Catherine Cricket Club last weekend.
He hit an unbeaten 117 to lead the Saints to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Manchester Cricket Association and into the quarter-finals of the Jamaica Cricket Association 50-Over Tournament.
“All batsmen go through ups and downs in their careers. You just have to take a look at your game when it happens and try to work on it, and that is what I have been doing,” said Hyatt.
The 31-year-old, who is yet to play a Test match for the West Indies, despite making one-day and Twenty20 debuts in 2011, went on to represent the region in nine one-dayers and five Twenty20s.
Shown the door
However, after unflattering averages of 14.00 and 16.00, respectively, he was shown the door by the regional selectors.
The door to Jamaica’s cricket also closed shortly after with the new Jamaica selection panel, headed by Wavell Hinds, dropping him for the 2014 regional first-class and Super50 seasons.
Hyatt averages 26.05 from 51 first-class and 27.21 from 41 regional one-day fixtures.
His dilemma continued this month, as after being omitted from Jamaica’s 15-player draft nomination, he was entered into the inaugural West Indies Four-Day Tournament player draft by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as a wildcard entrant.
Retainer contract
However, Hyatt was not handed a retainer contract by Jamaica or any other regional territory, and if he were to represent a franchise this season, he would only be eligible to participate on a pay-per-play basis.
“I’m always looking to play regional cricket, as I am just 31 years old. I was not offered a contract by any of the regional teams, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” Hyatt said.
“I know the selectors still have their eyes on me, as they have invited me to the national four-day trials, so all I have to do is score runs and I could be in line for a game,” he said with some amount of hope.
Jamaica’s franchise will host the Windward Islands Volcanoes in their first encounter on November 14 at Sabina Park.
