MUMBAI, India, CMC – Darren Bravo admitted yesterday he had little preparation for the third Test against India because of a bout of flu.
But not even the ailment could prevent the elegant stroke-maker from fashioning his third century in four Tests, a brilliant 166 that propelled West Indies to a mammoth 575 for nine on the second day at the Wankhede Stadium.
“I came into this match with a bit of the flu but I was determined not to let it keep me down,” the left-hander said.
“I only hit about 10 balls in the nets on Sunday and didn’t even bat in the nets on Monday in the build-up to the match. I wasn’t feeling very well. I knew however that I had to stand up for the team and give it all I had in me.
“I think I became a bit tired, with the flu over the last couple of days, and I think it took a toll on me there at the end of my innings.”
Bravo counted 17 glorious fours off 284 balls in an innings that triggered memories of the legendary Brian Lara.
Resuming the day on 57 with West Indies on 267 for two, Bravo carried on from where he had left off the previous day, stroking the ball confidently to all parts of the ground.
In the process, he passed 1 000 runs in Tests and has now scored 901 runs in 10 Tests this year at an average of 50.05 per innings.
“I think I am in pretty good form at this point in time and hopefully it can continue. It was very important for me to stay positive as much as possible,” Bravo said.
“I batted well in the last innings at Eden Gardens and I just came here and looked to carry on and get a big score for the team. I was hitting the ball really and finding the gaps so I knew once I stayed at the crease I could get a good score here.
“As batsmen we are very happy with the way we played and this has given the team a huge boost.”
Bravo was one of six top order batsmen to pass fifty with openers Kraigg Brathwaite (68) and Adrian Barath (62), posting 137 for the first wicket before Kirk Edwards (86), Kieran Powell (81) and Marlon Samuels (61) also joining the fray.
“The openers did a tremendous job to get us off to a good start on the first morning and our number three, Kirk Edwards also played really well,” the Trinidadian pointed out.
“That gave me a good platform and when you come in on that platform you try and continue from where they left off. We have all been working hard and it is good to see that we have been getting some results. The aim is to strive for consistency.”
