KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – All-rounder Dwayne Bravo said yesterday his four-wicket haul against Zimbabwe was a signal he had made a full return to fitness following his recent hand injury.
The right-arm medium pacer snatched four for 21 from nine overs in seamer-friendly conditions at the Arnos Vale Stadium as West Indies eked out a four-wicket win to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
Bravo, playing in only his second international since the Test tour of Australia last December, was voted Man-of-the-Match for his efforts.
“I’ve just come back from an injury so this performance proves to me that I’m fit, ready and strong again to perform at the highest level,” said Bravo, who had been sidelined with a hand injury sustained during Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash in January.
“I always back myself to deliver, no matter the circumstances, and today I felt really good with my line and length, the pace I was bowling, and my ability to get the ball to move around.
“I love playing here at Arnos Vale. I do well here and I also like the energy I get from the crowd. They are always in the game and they always back the West Indies team.”
Behind Bravo’s performance and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul’s two for 21, Zimbabwe tumbled to 141 all out off 48.2 overs leaving the Windies with an uncomplicated victory target.
And even though they were forced to struggle in their turn at the crease, the Windies got knocks of 32 not out from Narsingh Deonarine and 32 off 20 balls from captain Chris Gayle to get home safely.
Bravo said though the series had been won, the Windies would not be relaxing for the final match tomorrow.
“We went out from early and assessed the conditions well and worked out where we had to bowl to dismiss them,” Bravo said.
“We knew we had to put the ball in the right areas and things would work out for us. We played some very good cricket and overall as a team we are pleased with the result.
“The most important thing is that we won the series. We won’t be easing up … we will be looking come back and win the last match as well and go home with a 4-1 series result.”