Mayers: I did not look at the scoreboard, just focused on game

The West Indies batsman Kyle Mayers said he just focused on his game plan and did not look at the target during his unbeaten double century that helped his side successfully chase the most number of runs in the fourth innings in Asia.

Mayers remained unbeaten on 210 to help the Windies reach 395 and win the first Test against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city Sunday. 

“Truly, I wasn’t looking at the target. I was just trying to stick to my gameplan for as long as possible. I was trying not to look at the scoreboard. I was trying to bat as long as possible. I knew within myself that if we bat the whole day, my team will cross the line,” said the 28-year old debutant through a video message after the end of day’s play.

Mayers has been a name of disappointment for Windies cricket as the talented all-rounder failed to blossom fully. 

He was considered as a good bowler who can bat well when he picked up 12 wickets in the U-19 World Cup 2012.

However, the muscular Barbadian, who made his List A debut back in 2011 and made his first-class bow in 2015, failed to ascend through the ladder and only resurfaced in 2019 when he made 645 runs at an average of 50.3 in the first-class season.

But the left-handed batsman made a dream debut in Tests as he became the first man in history to score a double ton in the fourth innings of a Test as debutant. 

It was just his third first class century and the innings that lasted for 310 balls and 415 minutes is by far his longest.

“It is very special to me. It is my highest score coming in my first Test. It is also the longest I have ever batted,” said Mayers. 

“I thank my family, friends, coaches and those who stuck with me during my cricket career. I just want to give them thanks,” he added. 

Scoring runs on a fifth day pitch in the subcontinent is always tough and although the ZACS deck did not have many cracks, the odd ball behaved awkwardly. 

But on the historic day, the man in mission defied all odds through his approach that juxtaposed his doggedness and sheer skill. 

“It was always a challenge to bat on this wicket. They bowled very well. There were tough periods when we had to dig in. I tried to stay as tight as possible and when there were chance to score, took the opportunity,” said Mayers.

“It was difficult. Some balls stayed low, some bounced. Guys were spinning the ball, they bowled arm balls. The wicket was all over the place. I just had to stick to my gameplan and try to play as straight as possible, and hope for the best,” said the southpaw who scored as many as seven sixes and 20 fours in the innings where he showed resolute defence. 

Mayers looked extremely composed and did not look bothered about reaching the landmark but when the game closed on, he took charge on the bowlers that left no chance to the opponents who looked absolutely disdained. 

“A hundred was on the cards for me but I knew the team required me to score more than a hundred. So when I was batting, I was thinking that I needed to make 150. I thought at the start of the day that if I get 150-160, my team would be in good stead to cross the line. But as I reached 160, I knew I had to push more. It encouraged me to go further,” he said.

The Test rookie took the experience as a lesson and wants to excel for even greater achievements in future. 

“To keep improving, and try to be a good student of the game. Take positives from this innings to this next match,” said Mayers.