WI Test captain prepares to lead in Bangladesh
Caribbean Life, JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2021 39
By Nelson A. King
West Indies Test Captain,
Kraigg Brathwaite sees himself
as a central figure in the
two-Test series against Bangladesh
starting next month, and
plans to put his best foot forward,
according to Cricket West
Indies (CWI).
With 64 Tests and a decade of
Test cricket under his belt, the
28-year-old is the most experienced
player on tour, said CWI
on Jan. 14.
It said Brathwaite’s experience
will be pivotal to the touring
side’s chances.
“I think I have a good team
here,” CWI quoted Brathwaite
as saying. “A few guys haven’t
played international cricket,
some haven’t played in a little
while, but I know this team is
fully capable of doing well on
the international level.
“But me, as the leader, I
want to lead from the front,” he
added. “Obviously, it’s my job
as the opening batsman to get
runs. So, obviously, I’ll be looking
to do that, build the foundation
for the team as I always say.
But the guys here, I don’t see
them as second-string guys.
“I think these guys can perform
and do well at the international
level,” Brathwaite
assured. “So, I know they’re
looking forward to the opportunity.”
CWI said Brathwaite has
scored eight Test centuries,
including three against Bangladesh.
His career-best score is 212
against the Bangladeshis at
Arnos Vale in St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, CWI said.
“Obviously, leading a team,
you want to win,” Brathwaite
said. “But my role here is I just
want to lead from the front,
both as the captain and with
the bat. And yes, it would be
great to get that win, but we’ve
got to go hour by hour. We can’t
think too far ahead.
“We’ve, obviously, got to plan
first and then we’ve got to go
and execute,” he added. “Once
we take it step by step, the end
result will take care of itself.
Once we put in the work initially,
I know that this team will
do well here.”
The West Indies will play two
Tests, from Feb. 3-15, with the
first in Chattogram and then
the last in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi
capital.
West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite during the Second Test match against England at the Emirates
Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain on July 17, 2020. Jon Super/Pool via REUTERS, File