West Indies top order batsman, Darren Bravo believes he is matured now more than ever and is hungry too get runs under his belt.
The 31-year-old left-hander spoke to the media on Sunday ahead of their second practice match in New Zealand.
Bravo led the batting for the Caribbean side with a responsible century in the first warm up match contuing his rich vein of form.
Prior to the tour, Bravo was on show in the Caribbean Premier League where he stroked three half centuries for eventual champions, Trinbago Knight Riders and ended the tournament with 297 runs at an average of 59.4.
“I think I am a stage where I understand my game much more. Obviously more mature in the way I play and stuff like that. I am really excited and as I said, it’s about time that I really get the runs flowing once more,” Bravo told reporters.
He expressed enthusiasm at giving West Indies’ fans something positive to cheer about while suggesting that the series was expected to be interesting.
“It’s going to be an interesting series,” he said. We just need to back ourselves as much as possible and just believe in our ability and I said previously it’s about time we definitely show just what our worth is,” he posited.
The Trinidadian referenced his seniority in the side which comes with the added responsibility of leading from the front and welcomed the challenge.
According to Bravo, “Being one of the senior players on the team is very important and I take that responsibility. I know some of the guys definitely look up to me as a player. I think getting the opportunity to captain Trinidad and Tobago in the Four-Day tournament sort of gave me that insight as to what it takes to be a leader and stuff like that so it helps along the way and my game as well, the way I think and see things.”
Bravo noted the importance of his role at number three, particularly in light of the heavy criticism and worry over the West Indies batting line up over the last few years.
“For any innings to be successful you have to have a good foundation, “he said. “I think for me batting at number three it is important for me to set that foundation right for the middle order. You don’t want to expose the middle order to early especially to the new ball,” Bravo added.
Nevertheless, Bravo said that he was confident that the other batsmen in the middle order were capable of getting the job done for the Maroon boys.
“I think the likes of Roston Chase and even recently Shamarh Brooks have been playing pretty well so I am confident that the guys will do well,” he highlighted.
Bravo is the second most experienced player among active Test cricketers in the side and averages 37.69 from 54 matches. He has scored 3506 runs, highlighted by eight tons and 17 half centuries.
