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I like to win cricket games, I hate losing – Bonner

Published:Wednesday | February 10, 2021 | 3:30 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Bonner
Bonner

Jamaica and West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner says the regional side won’t be taking Bangladesh lightly when the teams meet again in the second Test which starts tonight (Jamaica time) in Dhaka.

Bonner and the West Indies will be hoping for another heroic performance similar to that in the first Test, where the regional side pulled off a remarkable batting display on the final day to beat the hosts by three wickets, and take a one-nil lead in the two-match series.

For Bonner, losing is not in his vocabulary, as he is keen on putting in another performance with the bat, which saw the right-hander scoring his maiden Test half-century.

“It is a big achievement for me. In my childhood dream, it was something I wanted to accomplish. I don’t have words to say how I feel but all I can say is that victory is an amazing feeling. Personal milestones are always good, but obviously, we know we do everything for the team. It would have been good to make a 100 on debut but it wasn’t meant to be. I am happy that we won the game,” said Bonner.

Following his record-breaking partnership with Kyle Mayers, who scored a maiden double hundred, Bonner says he will be taking the positives from his resolute knock of 86 in Chattogram and incorporating that and more in Dhaka.

“I like to win cricket games and I hate losing. That has been in me since I was young. I played for Jamaica and won five years straight and that’s a good feeling in the dressing room. It’s been a while since we have won a series away and we are trying our best to make this one possible,” said Bonner.

The former Combined Colleges and Campuses and Leeward Islands player says a few mental and preparation changes three years ago have helped him to mature to the level where he is finally seeing some success.

“It’s very important to have a clear mind and be confident. It’s also important to be patient and willing to fight for your country. Those are some of the important points I have taken away,” added Bonner.

The St Catherine native added that the experience of touring with the regional side to England and New Zealand last year also helped him to prepare for his chance in Bangladesh.

“I did feel slightly disappointed not playing in England and New Zealand but obviously, you are part of the team and I gave my full support every time. Basically, I had to wait for my chance to perform. I’d say that I enjoyed the experience in England and New Zealand, it helped me to prepare mentally and physically even more for this Bangladesh series,” added Bonner.

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