BRISBANE, Australia — Dwayne Bravo is thrilled to be back in the Test arena. The West Indies talisman has not played a five-day match since the Barbados Test against Australia in June, 2008. Speaking ahead of the opening Test at the Gabba, Bravo said he was waiting for this day for some time now and could not wait to step onto the Gabba ground and face the Aussies this morning ( last night Caribbean Time).
“I’m delighted to be back here representing the West Indies in Test cricket. I have been waiting for this opportunity a year-and-a-half now so I’m happy to be in good health and strength and really looking forward to taking the field,” he said. “It is very nice to be part of a Test squad again. Playing against the Australians, you have to take your game up a bit more. I love playing against the Australians. My record against them is good and I am looking forward to doing even better than I did in the past. I am looking to do very well, and help the West Indies win the series.”
Last time the West Indies were Down Under, Bravo made a back-to-the-wall century at Hobart and also grabbed a five-wicket haul.
“I learned a lot from that last tour … my approach and the way I went about my training sessions. I am looking to put those things in place again on this tour. Everyone in the team is looking forward to this series. We know what we have to do. We are sticking together and playing for each other.”
In September 2008 Bravo had an ankle operation in New York. He did not return to the game until mid-March 2009 against England, and that was only for limited-overs matches. Now he is back to full fitness and ready to take his place for the longer version of the game. In 31 Tests Bravo has scored 1833 runs with two centuries, captured 70 wickets and grabbed 30 catches and he said he was looking to enhance those numbers. He also added that it was good for the team that captain Chris Gayle was back, after his trip to Jamaica to be with his mother who was hospitalised.
“It is good to know that Chris is back with the team. He is a very good captain and we are happy everything went well for him. I want to wish his mother all the best and pray that she continues to recover.”(WICB)
