BRIDGETOWN, Dec 29: Barbados wicket-keeper Patrick Browne has been called up to the West Indies squad in South Africa “as soon as possible” as a back-up to Denesh Ramdin.

Browne, 25, got the news from Barbados’ development officer with the West Indies Cricket Board, Wendell Coppin while batting in a Barbados trial match.

There have been no reports of injury to Ramdin, who is playing in the ongoing first Test in

Port Elizabeth, but it is understood team manager

Clive Lloyd requested an additional keeper because of the workload.

Browne has played in 44 first-class matches for Barbados and the West Indies ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, scoring nine half-centuries and effecting 97 dismissals. He played four Carib Beer Cup games last season in which he took 11 catches and scored 139 runs at 17.37.

“Right now, I am a bit in shock because I was here playing a game, and suddenly the guys just called me off and told me I was called up for the West Indies team to go to South Africa,” Browne said.

“But I am very excited. I would like to give 100% and maintain my place in the team and do Barbados and the West Indies proud.”

Browne, who toured England with the West Indies ‘A’ team last year, was in the West Indies’ pre-tour preparatory training camp which was held in Barbados.

He only returned home from Dominica two days ago with the Barbados team from a three-match Twenty20 series, which they swept 3-0.

“I have been training hard and I think everything is now coming together with my game. I’ve brushed up a bit on my wicket-keeping and my batting is coming along.

“I’ve been doing a lot of wicket-keeping drills and working on my batting, concentration-wise. It is nice to see the guys performing and doing well and I hope that I can make a contribution if I get the opportunity to do so,” he said.

Browne said he received a lot of help from coaches Dexter Toppin, Roddy Estwick, Vasbert Drakes and especially Henderson Springer, who is now in South Africa as one of the West Indies’ assistant coaches.

—Agencies