Williams ready for Windies chance

St Catherine Cricket Club's Oraine Williams believes he is getting closer to a West Indies call-up, following his 146 runs against Kingston Cricket Club on Saturday.

The knock was crucial as St Catherine CC registered their third successive hold on the Jamaica Cricket Association All-Island 50 Overs title.

Williams was the star of the show as the defending champions brushed aside the challenge of Kingston by nine wickets.

The former West Indies Under-19 batsman, who opened his team's inning with Shacaya Thomas (43), after Kingston posted 220 runs, smashed 15 fours and five sixes before partnering with captain Danza Hyatt to see out the inning with one wicket lost.

STILL WAITING

However, he believes his consistent performances over the last few years warrant a chance in the West Indies set-up.

"The ambition is to play for West Indies and I believe I am that much closer now. I have been performing consistently over the years and I am still waiting on my time, but I don't think it should be long," Williams told The Gleaner.

"It's just for the selectors to take a look and give me a chance because I have been sitting and waiting on my time, and when it comes, I plan to take it with both hands," Williams added.

"This is my highest score in a final. It's a great feeling to get a hundred in a final ... Former captain Tamar Lambert told me someone is always remembered in a final, so I tried to push hard. But it's just hard work and dedication over the past few months.. so it's just the hard work paying off," continued the former Innswood High school student.

KEPT PUSHING

"The season didn't start well, but in life, it's not how you start but how you finish. I kept working hard and kept pushing. So when the captain asked for someone from one to five to bat the 50 overs and we will win, I put up my hand and accepted the challenge and carried it home for my team," he reasoned.

Williams says confidence is never an issue with him, but making 86 in the quarter-final and 49 in the semis was a great boost heading in the decider.

"I am always confident but I was just not getting the big scores (this season), but I knew time would come. I just remained patient and did the work. But getting 86 and 49 in a quarter-final and semi-final leading was a significant boost, so I was confident going into the final," said the 24 year old, who has been a part of all three St Catherine's title wins.