Bonner goes back to basics

Jamaica and West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner has returned to the basics to help him regain his form, which enabled him to score Test centuries against Sri Lanka and England between 2021 and 2022.

On Saturday, Bonner scored his second century of the season for his club, St Thomas, against Kensington in the ongoing Jamaica Cricket Association All-Island limited-overs competition, where the St. Catherine native feels he is getting his mojo back.

Before that, Bonner had not passed 20 runs in 10 international innings dating back to November, and the former Leeward Islands player believes his simple approach is beginning to bear fruit once again.

"I have gone back to the basics by playing straight and getting the mental side of my game right. I have been focusing on the positives and eliminating the negatives. That seems to be working for me so far," said Bonner.

This attitude has seen him score 170 runs against St Catherine CC in the opening round of the limited-over competition, followed by a half-century against Lucas.

On Saturday, Bonner hit an unbeaten 123 to lead St Thomas to victory over Kensington, and the knock seems to please the right-hander, who feels he is on the right path to getting back to the pinnacle of his game.

"I am trying to do it in strides by starting from here at the club level and then try to get myself back into the Jamaica team and ultimately the West Indies team," he said.

Bonner's last Test match was against Australia in Perth last year, where he had to retire hurt after being struck in the head after making 16 runs.

The 34-year-old has been criticised for being unable to handle short-pitch fast bowling in the past, but the West Indies A and Jamaica Tallawahs player says he has been working on that aspect of his game.

"For me, it is also keeping my mind in a good state and just playing the cricket that is in front of me. I am not trying to think too far and stay focused on what I need to get done and move forward."