AUCKLAND, Dec 25: New Zealand’s new left-arm seamer Ewen Thompson believes he’s fit and ready to make a mark in international cricket despite getting a late call-up, at the age of 29.

Thompson, who was included in the squad for the two Twenty20 Internationals against West Indies starting on Friday, is known in domestic circles for his commitment to fitness.

“At 29 you’re starting to mature as a cricketer,” Thompson said on Thursday. “If you look at other sports, like athletics, you don’t see many 22-23-year-olds winning that. You certainly respect your body a little bit more as you age.

“I do things a lot better than I did as a youngster and I find I get through the seasons a lot easier now.”

Thompson is currently the leading wicket-taker in the State Championship with 17 wickets from four games. He said he was confident of carrying on his good form to the international scene and his skills as an all-rounder will be put to test in cricket’s shortest format.

The Twenty20 Internationals, which will be played in Auckland and Hamilton on Friday and Sunday respectively, offer both New Zealand and West Indies a chance to slip into a new format with hopes of notching up a result.

While neither side has really been comfortable in Test cricket this year, it might be stretching it to say they’re more comfortable in Twenty20. New Zealand haven’t proven a very good Twenty20 side, as five wins in 16 outings indicate. In fact, they’ve lost their last seven matches, dating back to Sept 2007. West Indies have just three wins from eight games.

The venue for the first game on Friday is Eden Park, where the two teams have played just one Twenty20 match, in February 2006, which resulted in a tie when both teams scored 126.

—Agencies