Dhaka, Bangladesh — Darren Bravo is yet to register a big score on the ongoing tour of Bangladesh, but the left-hander remains upbeat that he can deliver a major innings in today’s second Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
The 22-year-old believes a positive approach at the crease will be the key. He also outlined that the work he is doing with Batting Consultant Desmond Haynes is helping with his mental approach to the game.
“It is important that I maintain my confidence and continue to believe in my ability. In the second innings in Chittagong, the fact was they [Bangladesh bowlers] were attacking me and I felt the best approach was to be positive. It worked and the close in fielders soon moved out. As I said before, it is very important to remain confident and positive when you are at the crease, be it a Test match, One-Day match or T20,” he said. “The Bangladesh bowling is built around the spinners, and you know once the spinners get on top, you could dig yourself into a hole. You don’t want to do that, so the key to batting in this series is to keep watchful and look for scoring opportunities. It’s not about going after any and everything thing, but rather to assess the situation and be on the look-out for balls to score off and play your natural game.” Bravo had a quiet One-Day International series, which the Windies won 2-1.
He fell for just two in the first innings of the rain-affected drawn first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. In the second innings, however, he was far more positive and hit two superb straight sixes as he closed on 24 not out off 28 balls when the match ended. Last year in Sri Lanka he rattled off several good scores which signalled the start of his Test career. He said he is looking to rediscover that kind of form and aim for his first triple-figure score at the international level. In his Test career so far Bravo has played nine matches, making 544 runs at 38.85 per innings. He has registered six half-centuries. “I have been working hard in the nets and I have been having a lot of sessions with Desmond. He has told me to back my ability and we spoke a lot about my footwork and I know once I continue to do that hard work and do the correct things, it will fall into place,” he outlined.
