Marlon Samuels, the top batsman at the recently concluded Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday shortly after the team returned home from Barbados. Jamaica placed third in the tournament. - Ricardo Makyn

Following his outstanding performance in the just-concluded Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, sidelined West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels said he is looking forward to achieving a great deal more in next month's regional four-day competition.

Samuels, who last represented the West Indies in 2008, ended the T20 Championships as the leading scorer with total of 253 runs at an average of 63.25. The explosive right-hander had a top score of 80 not out.

good feeling

"It is a good feeling, because this is a goal that I had set myself before that tournament started and I achieved the goal," said Samuels in an interview with STAR Sports shortly after the Jamaican team's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

"I put in a lot of work before the tournament and so the mindset was very positive, and so I went in there on a high and was able to achieve by personal objectives," Samuels said.

Samuels added: "I am now focusing on the four-dayers coming up because there is still a lot of work to be done. I will continue to work hard."

salvage pride

The Jamaicans were the favourites to win the competition, but they were beaten by defending champions Trinidad and Tobago in their semi-final on Saturday. However, a day later, they were able to salvage some pride when they defeated the Windward Islands in the third-place play-off.

"I am very disappointed about the overall result," said the 30-year-old Samuels.

"I know that we were a much better team than what we displayed, but I guess that lack of Twenty20 matches and inexperience cost us the tournament," Samuels pointed out. "We need to be more consistent in the three departments, batting, bowling and fielding, to win Twenty20 tournaments," he stated.

Marlon Samuels (left), the top batsman at the recently concluded Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, and captain Wavell Hinds at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday shortly after the team returned home. Jamaica placed third in the tournament, which was won by Trinidad and Tobago. - Ricardo Makyn