By Romario Samaroo
West Indies Test captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, is looking to his batsmen to deliver the goods as they embark on the two-Test series against Zimbabwe later this month.
Brathwaite was at the time speaking at the first press conference for the side ahead of the tour yesterday. The opener said, “We need to see some fight from the batsmen, me included,” adding “Obviously going to Zimbabwe, especially at home, wouldn’t be an easy team to roll over but I look forward to batters spending time and getting runs on the board. I think that is crucial to us setting up the game to win it.”
Brathwaite explained that batting 110 overs is important to the side being successful but that was not the case against Australia in their last series which they lost 2-0. However, the captain was in high praise of his fellow opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who made his debut during that series.
“Obviously ‘Tage’ was superb starting in Australia in his first two Test matches, that was quite remarkable but overall, we didn’t get the big scores, we didn’t get the big first innings score we would have liked,” he said. West Indies were bowled out for 282, 333, 214 and 77 in their four innings while in Australia. From a bowling standpoint, Brathwaite said:“It is very important that we get back to hitting our straps and be able to get 20 wickets.” He said that that it comes down to discipline and consistency.
In the pace department, Jayden Seales will not feature due to an injury, a loss Brathwaite described as “unfortunate” but he said he welcomed the return of Shannon Gabriel. “Very unfortunate not to have Jayden and unfortunate for injury, obviously he is a superb talent but Shannon you know has a lot of experience and he always brings that energy into the camp…it’s great to have him back, he is a guy that puts in his all to each game and plus that experience he will bring will add to [the team] especially with Jayden’s absence so I look forward to having Shannon back in the squad,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the spin department, both left-arm spinners, Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie were recalled to the side and the skipper expressed his confidence with the unit.
He said, “For sure we have enough in the spin department. [I have] full confidence in the three spinners we have on this tour, it’s all about consistency, hitting one area, making the batsmen defend as much as possible, bringing the short fielder into play…I look forward to them doing well.”
West Indies will play both Test matches at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first Test running from 4 to 8 February, and the second match from 12 to 16 February. Ahead of the two-Test Series, West Indies will have a three-day warm-up match against a local side set for 28 to 30 January at Bulawayo Athletic Club. All matches start at 10am local time (4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica).
The last Test Series between Zimbabwe and the West Indies was also played at Queens Sports Club in October 2017. West Indies won the two-match Series 1-0, winning the first contest by 117 runs with the second Test ending in a draw.
FULL SQUAD: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Tagnarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas, Jomel Warrican
MATCH SCHEDULE:
28-30 January: three-day warm-up match at Bulawayo Athletic Club
4-8 February: 1st Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
12-16 February: 2nd Test at Queens Sports Club
