(CMC) – Embattled captain Kraigg Brathwaite yesterday urged his batsmen “to find a way” as the West Indies attempt to turn the page on last week’s first Test debacle at Lord’s with an improved performance in the second Test at Trent Bridge starting today.
The Caribbean side crumbled for scores of 121 and 136, totals that inevitably led to a heavy innings and 114-run defeat before lunch on the third day, sparking fears of a hopelessly lopsided series against the powerful English.
West Indies’ highest score in either innings was an unbeaten 31 from Gudakesh Motie, batting at number nine and in the side as a specialist left-arm spinner.
And with pressure mounting on his inexperienced batting group, Brathwaite said it was critical they put all the events of the recent weeks behind them and “put runs on the board.”
“Obviously it is a young team, and playing any Test match would always be a challenge for anyone that’s young,” Brathwaite told reporters.
“We’ve been here for a number of weeks now, and what is gone is gone. The first defeat is gone, the preparation period is gone, and I think the guys are in very good spirits, and mentally, it’s very important to believe in yourself.
“The guys are ready to go.”
He continued: “It’s pretty simple what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to bat a lot better. Obviously we’ve got to find a way, which we’ve had some discussions around different things we can do better as a team.
“We’ve just got to put runs on the board. It’s simple.”
West Indies flourished only briefly during the first innings at Lord’s when rookies Kavem Hodge (24) and Alick Athanaze (23) put on 44 for the fourth wicket to lift their side to 88 for three after lunch.
However, once they were separated, the West Indies lost their last seven wickets for just 33 runs in quick time, with debutant seamer Gus Atkinson picking up a seven-wicket haul.
The second innings was a write-off, the touring side slumping to 79 for six at the close of the second day, and Motie’s cameo in the morning session on the third day proving the only highlight.
Brathwaite said the only motivation required for his side at this stage was that desire to bat better.
“We have a motivation – we’ve got to be better than the first Test,” he stressed.
“The batsmen have to obviously put runs on the board, and that’s our focus. I think once we remain disciplined, session by session, build partnerships that will put us in a good position in the overall result of the game.
“A few guys did get in but didn’t go on. It’s just important that you go on for longer because the longer you bat, the easier it becomes, and it’s important to stay in that plan for as long as possible.
“Obviously you want to put away bad balls – that’s what every batsman wants to do – but it’s that hard work you do for 40 minutes, being able to take that to an hour and two hours.”
He continued: “And it’s a mixture of putting away the bad balls because when you put away the bad balls, it gives you confidence, so we just have to keep learning.
“I think a lot of learning would’ve taken place in the first Test and we just have to believe in our ability and do it for longer periods.”
Brathwaite’s own form has come under the microscope, the obdurate right-hander scraping only 44 runs in his last six innings dating back to the tour of Australia last January.
He is the side’s most experienced player with 90 Tests under his belt and said being “mentally tough” was important in these lean periods, especially with the added responsibility of captaincy.
“I enjoy captaining; I enjoy leading. I’ve been opening my whole life, so when I go out there to bat, it’s always to see off that new ball and be there as long as I can – that’s always my focus,” he said.
“I don’t see it (captaincy) as any added pressure. Yes, at times you don’t get runs, and it can be a little bit tough, but it is important to stay mentally tough and keep believing.”
West Indies have named an unchanged XI.
TEAMS:
England: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales
