ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) - West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Ridley Jacobs is undecided about his future after returning home early from the tour of England in which the Caribbean team is trailing 3-0.
“That’s a tough question right now (to answer),” 36-year-old Jacobs told reporters.
He returned to Antigua on Wednesday after undergoing an operation on his right knee in Manchester, England, last Friday.
“It is something I have to sit down and think about,” he said. “I don’t know how long the healing process is going to take. I just have to wait and see how it goes and then make a decision after that.
“I will give it a little break and sit down and talk to my family, friends and supporters and then make a decision about what I want to do in the future.
“I still feel I can make a meaningful contribution to West Indies, but I have to wait and see how (the knee heals). That will determine if I can do what I want to do on the cricket field.”
Left-hander Jacobs has scored 2,577 runs at an average of 28.31 and claimed 207 catches and 12 stumpings in 65 Tests since 1998 for West Indies, and made 1,865 runs at 23.31 and taken 160 catches and 29 stumpings in 147 limited-overs internationals since 1996.
He indicated that the rigours of keeping wicket almost single-handedly over the last six year have taken its toll on his knees.
“Over the years, I’ve been the only wicketkeeper on tours, playing all the games, and I think that has taken a toll on my ligaments and body,” he said.
Jacobs revealed he would have to undergo a second operation before he is given the “all clear” to play again.
“(The follow-up operation) will depend on the West Indies Cricket Board because (a member of the medical panel) will look at the knee and then decide,” he said.
Jacobs indicated that his non-selection for the next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in Britain was done before the injury was known.
“This (injury) happened a couple days before the third Test match,” he said. “After warming up, I realised I couldn’t do the activities and I asked that a scan be done on my knee. It was then I realised something was seriously wrong with my leg.”
Commenting on the team’s performance in England, Jacobs identified a lack of consistency as a major factor.
“We haven’t been playing pretty well,” he said. “We have not played the consistent cricket we wanted to play. That has been our downfall. Sometimes we batted well and other occasions we don’t bowl as well. I think that’s the main problem. We are not really combining the two aspects of the game together.”
Jacobs also admitted that his personal performance also suffered.
“I must admit I didn’t have the start for which I was looking,” he said. “I was hoping I would have finished the tour on high, but it didn’t work that way, so hopefully next time I’ll do better.
“It might not be for playing for the West Indies. It could even be playing for Leeward Islands. The future is still bright.”