Nervous Edwards happy with return to Test cricket

West Indian pacer Fidel Edwards, who was instrumental in triggering India's batting collapse in the ongoing first Test with a four-wicket haul, said he was nervous heading into the match after being sidelined with injury for two years.

"It was a good feeling to get back onto the field and do so well, after not playing for so long, so it was a good start for me. It is good to make my comeback in Jamaica, after not playing for so long," Edwards said after West Indies rode on his and spinner Devendra Bishoo's combined haul of seven wickets to bowl India out for 246 in the first innings in Kingston.

"I have not played a lot of cricket leading up to this Test, and bowling first up was a bit harsh, but I got into my groove after that. I was a bit nervous too," he added.

Edwards said his team is now looking to bat once and score in excess of 400 runs to get past India in the opening Test at Sabina Park.

"We would like to get at least 400 runs on this track and try to bat once. The pitch is turning a lot," remarked Edwards, who celebrated his return to West Indian colours with figures of 4 for 56.

"The pitch has some bounce, but it's not as fast as I would like. It's a bit two-paced. The ball was swinging a bit early on, so we tried to bowl in good areas, and bowl one side of the wicket before trying to mix it up to each batsman," Edwards said.

Edwards conceded that the hosts could have got the visitors down to 150 runs.

"Our plan was to bowl them out for 250 or less. But after having them down to 85 for 6, we thought we could bowl them out for less than 150 runs. But Harbhajan played a good knock and so did Raina."

Edwards said he was a bit surprised to see the Indians bat first on a moist and bouncy pitch in the morning.

"We were a bit surprised they chose to bat. Our plan was to field first and it worked out for us anyway," he said.

Edwards had good words to say about young leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

"I was very impressed (with Bishoo). I was impressed with the way he got three quick wickets, and taking a terrific catch in the deep, so he is the new star boy," he said.

Photograph: Getty Images