Debut was joy and butterflies, says West Indian pacer
kenroy peters
Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Dec 27 (IANS) West Indies' left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters described his Test debut against South Africa as one of "joy and butterflies", and dedicated his first Test wicket to seven-week-old son Ethan.
The 32-year-old, who arrived here earlier this week as a late replacement for the injured Kemar Roach, shared the new ball with Jerome Taylor on the opening morning of the Boxing Day second Test at St George’s Park Friday, reports CMC.
Peters said he found out he had been included in the final XI on Christmas Day but noted this did little to calm his nerves.
"The nerves start from the time you hear you are in the first XI. It was a mixture of emotions, joy and butterflies," said Peters.
"I always tell myself once I bowl my first spell and I can be within the areas I want to bowl, the second spell is going to be easier because I would have already assessed the conditions and that’s basically what my first spell was all about."
He finished with one for 44 from 15 overs, claiming century-maker Dean Elgar for 121, caught at the wicket off one that seamed away gently in the final session.
Peters said his main focus from the start of the day had been getting among the wickets.
"I remember when I played my first first-class game, it was against South Africa A. I was just finished playing Under-19 when I got the call," Peters reminisced.
"Now 10 to 12 years later, I am making my (Test) debut against South Africa. So when I was bowling my only ambition was to get a wicket because I wanted to do it for my son. I have a seven-week-old son and I’m dedicating this to my son."
South Africa finished the day in a strong position on 270 for two, with Faf du Plessis unbeaten on 99 and captain Hashim Amla, who got a double hundred in the first Test at Centurion last week, unbeaten on 17.