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Sherwin Campbell has a history of being the comeback kid. And again he is promising cricket fans he will be back.

The 30-year-old right-handed opener, who has been overlooked for the three matches so far in the ongoing series against South Africa, said his aim was to regain his place at the top of the Windies batting order and the selectors' pecking order.

Campbell's omission was due mainly to his low scoring on the five-Test tour of Australia where he was vice-captain. Even though he ended the ill-fated trip with 79 and 54 in the final Test at Sydney, the selectors chose to give someone else the job.

I know there are people out there wondering what I'm doing. I just have to wait around and try to relax and get back in the team. There's always ups and down in life. Just keep faith alive, Campbell said. I don't have to let the selectors know I'm around. They know I'm still here.

Twice in his career against Australia at home in 1995, and the South African tour in 1998-99 he was dropped, but forced his way back into the side with reliable rather than spectacular batting.

When I came home (from Australia) I knew it would be tough and I needed some runs to be picked. I knew it would be touch and go, I didn't have to be told.

But you must never give up. In life there is always a chance and I am never one who loses hope. I would like to get an opportunity but there is no cricket between now and then. I guess if they (selectors) will pick me, it will have to be on the past.

In the Busta Cup matches after returning home he managed half- centuries but was unable to convert them into centuries. He captained a representative team in the tour opener against South Africa, again cracking two half-centuries in spectacular fashion, but it did not persuade the selectors he was the man for the job.

Campbell's Test record shows 2 856 runs (average 32.82) in 51 matches, including four centuries and 18 half-centuries, and a highest score of 208 against New Zealand in Barbados.

Like all other West Indians he said he had been watching the Test series and believed the West Indies team under Carl Hooper had been doing a fine job.

The guys batted well; it's just one innings in Trinidad when they fell down, and unfortunately did not get runs. But they have been doing well, Campbell said.

Coming out of Australia there was talk that he might have required surgery for a shoulder injury, but he did not touch much on the matter, saying only that he had felt better on return home, but was likely to receive further advice in the near future.

© The Barbados Nation