West Indies’ stand-in Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite is the most experienced Test cricketer on their tour of Bangladesh as the rest of the players, except Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell, are either uncapped or have never played Tests in the sub-continent.
Brathwaite has the maximum sub-continent experience with 15 Tests, Blackwood and Campbell combine only six Tests in the Asian conditions and the stand-in captain feels West Indies will have a “slight advantage” in Bangladesh since the hosts haven’t faced before in the Test series.
West Indies arrived in Bangladesh with several senior players including Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, and Nicholas Pooran pulling out of the tour due to the COVID-19 concerns, to will play three ODIs and two Tests starting January 20 at Sher-e-Bangla.
Braithwaite said on Wednesday: “It could be a slight advantage. They haven't played some of our guys. We still have to go out there and do the correct job and be disciplined in all aspects. I think we have a good team here. Few guys haven't played international cricket and some haven't played in a little while. I know this team is fully capable of doing well at the international level.”
He further added, “I don't see the guys here as second string. I think they can perform and do well at the international level. I know they are looking for the opportunity.”
Brathwaite had a poor tour of Bangladesh last time scoring just 24 runs in 2 Tests but this time, he vowed to lead his team from the front and help the hosts build the foundation as the opening batsman.
He further added, “Leading a team, you want to win. My role here is to lead from the front, both as a captain and with the bat. It will be great to get the win. We have to start hour by hour, we can't think too far ahead. Once we take it step by step, the end result will take care of itself.”
The stand-in skipper has called his batsmen for the “balance at the crease” at the challenging spin conditions in Bangladesh.
He added: “I think the principles still remain, in terms of batsmanship. For me, being balanced at the crease is the key whether I am playing spin and pace. It was decent in England, there was an improvement in New Zealand as well.”
Braithwaite signed off by saying, “You have to find ways to overcome challenges in international cricket. The spinners did well last time. We have reviewed what we could have done better. We have to execute and believe in ourselves. Trust our preparations.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
