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Johannesburg - Following a majestic double-hundred against the SA Invitational XI in Benoni on day two of their tour match on Thursday, West Indian batsman Marlon Samuels is confident his form has made a timely return.
Samuels bludgeoned the SA Invitational XI on his way to 203 before retiring, to let the other batsmen get valuable time in the middle ahead of the first Test against the top-ranked Proteas starting in Centurion on Wednesday next week.
"I was confident as I've been batting well and I just used that momentum. I'm enjoying batting at the moment and putting some good scores on the board," said the 52-Test veteran after the day's play.
"I'm confident, but not over confident because the first Test is when the real thing really starts."
Samuels was dropped from the Test side in June, after the West Indies match against New Zealand in Kingston. It was also the only Test he had played for his country in 2014.
"It's a wonderful feeling being back in white clothes and I just paced myself."
Samuels, 33, played a major role in helping the West Indies beat the Proteas in Port Elizabeth in the first Test in 2007 - the only Test win registered by the Caribbean outfit on South African soil.
Samuels scored 314 runs in the series and averaged 52 even though his side lost the three-Test affair 2-1.
"Last time I was here I scored a lot of runs and I hope I can repeat that last trip to South Africa."
If the eighth-ranked West Indians were to compete with the Proteas, it would take a good deal of perseverance, according to Samuels.
"Staying patient, backing yourself, believing in yourself and taking your chances. It's about being confident and going out there and playing your shots.
"If we do that I think we'll give the South African batsman a challenge with the wonderful bowling attack we have at the moment with youth and experience."
