Gordon knocking on door of regional selectors

FOLLOWING his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Regional Super50 tournament, which saw him bag 15 wickets and end up tied for first with teammate Odean Smith and Trinidad and Tobago’s Shannon Gabriel for most wickets, Jamaica Scorpions seamer Nicholson Gordon is now pleased to have fulfilled a promise he made to himself prior to the start of the regional tournament.

“Well, when I made the Super50 team, my main aim was to finish with the most wickets in the tournament. I was always thinking about that as a bowler. So that was what drove me and I motivated myself to really go out there, do my best and accomplish my mission. I also helped my team to win the tournament, so that was an extra boost,” said Gordon.

For the title-winning Scorpions which saw two of their seamers finishing atop the bowling charts, this marked the first time a bowler from the Jamaican franchise has achieved the feat since Jerome Taylor back in 2008.

Gordon, who earlier this year finished with the most wickets in the SKYEXCH 6ixty tournament (six wickets), followed up that performance by finishing with the fourth most wickets in the Caribbean Premier League for the Jamaica Tallawahs (nine wickets) then joint leader in the Regional Super50. According to Gordon, his success this season is solely down to self-belief.

“Well, number one is that I believe in myself. I also take my rest and I am putting in the work when no one in seeing me. I’m always doing extra so this isn’t something that just happens, it is what I call hide and train,” Gordon added.

With the pitches used for the Regional Super50 not being ‘fast-bowling’ friendly, Gordon said perseverance was an ingredient he used to his advantage.

“I always believe that great players can adjust, get accustomed to, execute their plans and do well. Even though the pitches were not fast-bowler friendly, I assessed things and found out early what was working and stayed with my plans for as long as possible and it paid off,” Gordon said.

Gordon, 31, who is no stranger to the West Indies ‘A’ team believes he still has time to crack the West Indies senior team and feels the opportunity will eventually come if he sticks to his hard-working mentally.

“Most definitely, it’s all about performances and, once you’re in good form and putting in the work, and the opportunity comes, then you’re ready to go because it’s never too late for a shower of rain. I always believe in that and I always tell myself that,”.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com