Brathwaite: WI up to the task

THE plan is pretty simple – play good cricket and be discipline.

This was the view of current West Indies Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite as the regional side gets set for the opening day of the Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram.

Brathwaite leads the team as the most experienced and takes over the reins from regular captain Jason Holder, who was one of the regular Test players that opted out of the Bangladesh tour.

Despite the lack of experience on the team, West Indies will be looking to put up a strong showing against a team who are re-entering the Test arena after the pandemic lockdown.

Brathwaite told the media that the nature of the pitch – be it low, spinning or bouncing, the West Indies just have to play good cricket, stick to their plans and be discipline.

“Once you are discipline, whether it’s bouncing or keeping low, we will come out on top.”

However, beating Bangladesh at home is easier said than done despite their lack of games in recent times as they have beaten the West Indies inside four days during their last visit to Bangladesh.

But the storyline is the same for the West Indies, they need runs on the board to support the bowling unit, which has been performing for the last two years.

“Every game you have to take 20 wickets… our bowlers have been doing a good job for the last two years,” said Brathwaite.

“It is crucial for us to put runs on the board. The bowlers still have to get 20 wickets, but I think once we put some good runs on the board, I think that would be key for this West Indies team.”

There have been some indications that the batsmen on the Test squad are ready to put those runs on the board.

Brathwaite and his opening partner John Campbell are two of those batsmen, along with Nkumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Joshua Da Silva and Raymond Reifer all getting among the runs.

The leading run scorer for the West Indies has been Jermaine Blackwood, but he did not fire in the practice match.

Brathwaite said his role has always been the same as an opening batsman, which is to soak up the pressure.

In order to put themselves in a position for victory, one of the key factors will be batting partnerships.

“I think it’s key for any game for the openers to put on a good partnership, especially here in Bangladesh. If we as openers could build a big partnership and basically make it easier for guys to come, that would put us in a good position. John is batting well, I’m really enjoying batting with him and we look forward to the challenge.”

Brathwaite said that they have their plans as batsmen and he believes they have the skills to come out on top of the bowlers and get some big runs.

“I am backing the batsmen, the guys have been putting in some good work. The practice game went decent and we all look forward to the challenge.”

Though it is expected that the spinners will feature in this game, Brathwaite thinks there is still room for pacers who all did a good job in the practice match.

“I still think they will have the role. We have some guys with extra pace, so I think with the low bounce and correct fields, the pacers can be the attacking option.”

The game was slated to begin at 11:30 p.m. last night.