BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Exiled left-hander Darren Bravo is frustrated by his treatment at the hands of Cricket West Indies and says he feels as if his sacrifices for West Indies cricket have come to nothing.
The 28-year-old, barred from selection because of an impasse with Cricket West Indies, said he had passed on lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 contracts in the past to focus exclusively on helping to revive West Indies’ fortunes in the longer format of the game.
And though Test cricket remained his focus, he said his ongoing, unexplained exile from the game had forced him to explore other options.
“There was a situation where I had two IPL contracts before the one with Kolkata Knight Riders [last season]. I gave up those two contracts,” he told Massy Insurance’s Line and Length Network in an interview set to be aired this weekend.
“I also had an opportunity to go and play in the T20 World Cup that West Indies won in India, I gave up that to stay home and play first class cricket. I could have jumped in a plane, go to the World Cup in India … and I could have gotten approximately US$7 000 for one T20 game. I decided not to go.
“I decided to stay home and play first class cricket to get paid US$1300 but I think I have a very important part to play in the quest to revitalise West Indies cricket in the longer form of the game.
“So I decided to stay home to play first class cricket … and I am just drawing that as a reference because I believe Test cricket is my forte and that is where I am most happy playing cricket.”
Bravo is West Indies’ premier batsman with 3400 runs in 49 Tests at an average of 40, and has also been a key member of the regional one-day side.
The Trinidadian’s finesse has drawn many comparisons to legendary fellow countryman Brian Lara and has set him apart as one of the best batsmen in the region.
However, following an ill-advised tweet which labelled CWI president Dave Cameron “a big idiot”, he was sent home from South Africa last November, ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe.
CWI has demanded the player remove the tweet and tender an apology, neither of which he has done to date.
He and his legal team have argued that CWI did not follow due process and have questioned the basis of his continued exclusion from selection.
Bravo said CWI’s actions had made him re-think his place in West Indies cricket.
“I gave up so much for West Indies cricket and the way I have been treated is like my efforts and my energy and whatever, went all down the drain,” he stressed.
“I don’t like the way I’ve been treated and at the end of the day I have to look at alternative ways to make my money and help support my family. Yes I want to play Test cricket but at the end of the day I have to make decisions to look after my family.”
Bravo is expected to be part of the Trinbago Knight Riders squad in the Caribbean Premier League which bowls off in August.
West Indies are also scheduled to tour England for three Tests also starting in August but Bravo said even if the current impasse was to be resolved, he would be keeping his commitment to TKR.
“There’s a question mark over that (England tour) because I’ve already signed my contract with CPL … and I will be fulfilling my contract with CPL,” he noted.
“And CPL is basically during the same time as the England tour so by all means Darren Bravo will be playing in the CPL.”
