Former Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Richard Austin. - photo by Jermaine Lannaman

Former West Indies and Jamaica batsman Richard 'Danny Germs' Austin, who is undergoing another bout of substance-abuse rehabilitation, says he plans to entertain the crowd if he is given a chance to represent Jamaica Masters in the upcoming Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Red Stripe Twenty20 Championship.

The 55-year-old Austin who has been plagued with substance abuse since the mid-1980s and has undergone several rehabilitation efforts, says he has kicked most of his bad habits and in recent weeks have been finding himself.

"Being in rehabilitation I find it nice and I am enjoying it. It's been going on now for about four months and I feel as if I am coming around.

"I have stopped smoking and have been taking care of my health, like eating good food and exercising twice weekly," said Austin, who is in training among the likes of former West Indies captains Courtney Walsh and Jimmy Adams and wicketkeeper Jeffrey Dujon.

"I don't know who hinted that I was undergoing rehab to the Twenty20 people as it has been very private. But they have got back to me and it's very nice to be back in cricketing circles among so many great players

"I am a bit weak but I think I am batting well and hope that if I get a game I will be able to entertain the crowd," he added.

Banned

Austin, a talented all-rounder who could open the batting and bowl pace or spin, made his Test debut for the West Indies against Australia on March 3, 1978. He played two Tests before joining the Kerry Packer-inspired World Series Cricket. He took part in the Rebel tour of South Africa in 1983 and was banned for life by the region's cricket bosses.

In addition to being a top-level cricketer, the St Andrew Technical High past student was also a very good footballer who was one of the leading forwards on Arnett Gardens' National Premier League team in the mid-1970s.

Jamaica Masters, one of eight seeded teams in the four-week competition, will bow into action at Chedwin Park in Week Two against the winners of Sunday's opening round 10 a.m. clash between Police Hammers and Kingston and St Andrew Titans at Up Park Camp.

The Jamaica Defence Force Brigades will host Boys' Town Beavers in the feature game at 2 p.m.

The championship starts tomorrow with double-headers at Up Park Camp and at St Ann Bauxite Sports Club, formerly Kaiser.

Kensington Dragons will face St Thomas Prodigals in the Up Park Camp opener at 10 a.m., while at 2 p.m. Lucas Eagles will play Portland Alligators. West-moreland Wizards, in the meantime, will play G.C. Foster Crocodiles at 10 a.m. and Clarendon Bulls will battle St Catherine Cricket Association Crusaders at 2 p.m. at St Ann Bauxite.