Newly appointed captain of the West Indies Test side, Kraigg Brathwaite has rubbished the labeling of the team as a second-string side and in fact backs them to do well.
The Barbadian opener made the comments during a Zoom interview yesterday as they closed off their quarantine period in Bangladesh and began outdoor training for the two-Test series.
“First of all I think I have a good team here, a few guys have played a lot of cricket, some haven’t played in a little while but I know this team is fully capable of doing well at international level,” he said.
“I don’t see these guys as second string guys. I think these guys can perform and do well at the international level and I know they are looking forward to the opportunity,” he added.
The 28-year-old, who has in the past taken on the responsibility as captain but with limited success, pointed out that he not only wants to lead from the front in his new role, but continue to lead with the bat.
“My role here is I just want to lead from the front both as the captain and the bat.
“Obviously it would be great to get that win but we’ve got to start hour-by-hour. We can’t think too far ahead. We’ve got to plan first and go out and execute and once you take it step-by-step the end result will take care of itself. Yes! I’m looking forward to that first win but its steps to getting there.”
The captain admitted that the side was missing a few key players said there are players in the squad who can fill the gaps.
“I think I have a very good team. Yes, we are missing a few of the senior guys but I know we are still capable of winning the Test matches and doing well for West Indies. Some of the guys are hungry to perform for West Indies some of them haven’t played for a while and want to do well,” he stated.
Brathwaite reiterated that his job as the opener is to lay the foundation for the team and in doing so, he is likely going to open with a familiar face in John Campbell for a partnership that dates back to their Under-15 days.
The right hander has thrown his support behind Campbell, tagging him as a capable batsman that has shown his worth in subcontinent conditions in the past but affirmed that he will be there to emphasize in Campbell to trust his game plan and defence.
Brathwaite also expressed his confidence in prospective debutants, Kavem Hodge and Shayne Moseley.
The captain explained, “Kavem is obviously an all-rounder so he will bring quality with the bat and the ball, just like John I played from Under-15 with Kavem and I think he is very talented and I am really looking forward to him once selected doing well for West Indies. At the Under-19s he was always heads above the guys he played against so I know he will bring a lot both with the bat, as a quality batsman, he plays spin extremely well and as a bowler as we all know.”
He added, “In terms of Shayne, I went to school with him, Secondary School so I know him since he was about 12-years-old and you know he is a very hard working guy and I look forward to seeing what he can do because he is a fighter, I know that for sure that he will be up to the challenge.”
