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When Courtney Browne awoke yesterday his dream came true.

The first words the Barbados wicketkeeper heard were from his captain Sherwin Campbell.

The good news was that they were both in the West Indies team to tour Australia.

When Browne went to bed on Monday night after Barbados’ loss to the United States in a Red Stripe Bowl preliminary round match, never in his wildest dreams did he believe sour would turn to sweet so soon.

"I got the news around 10 a.m. from Sherwin," said the 29-year-old Barbados vice-captain.

"He woke me up with the news. I had to get packed and return home. We have the (Red Stripe Bowl) semifinals this weekend, but there’s a camp after the Bowl."

Browne and Campbell returned home around 6:15 p.m. yesterday and will fly out tomorrow to rejoin the Barbados squad.

For Browne, his return to the Test side has been the result of hard work as he has been working to regain a place since his last Test match in June 1997, against Sri Lanka.

"The hard work has paid off," Browne said from his home last night. "Basically it’s experience and knowing what to do and being more focussed.

"I know the role I have to play. I just have to play my part and play it well. I’m just happy to be back and in the frame again."

Browne actually returned to the West Indies team for the recent International Cricket Council One-Day Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya. He was used as pinch hitter in the West Indies’ defeat against Sri Lanka.

During his absence from the Test side he lost his place in the Barbados team before regaining it again and going on to captain the West Indies "A" side against India "A", Pakistan and South Africa "A".

© The Barbados Nation