West Indies Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has highlighted the importance of mental preparation and execution of skills on the field ahead of the two-match Test series against India at home.
Caribbean cricket hit a new low last week as they were eliminated from the upcoming ODI World Cup qualification race after a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Scotland in the Super Six round of the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
However, Brathwaite is keen to look ahead and start the ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle against India in a positive manner.
In order to prepare for the series, West Indies cricketers are currently attending a training camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
“It’s important to start well. We are playing against India, so you know the guys are really looking forward to it,” Brathwaite was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies (CWI).
“I think as a team, and as batsmen and bowlers, we already have those thoughts in mind about what to expect, and this is why preparation is very important.
“It’s all about how you prepare, knowing what we’re going to get in terms of conditions, we generally know how the surfaces will play, and we already know India’s team, so it’s important from now to mentally prepare, and understand the plans we want both as a bowling unit and as batters, so you know it will all come down to execution,” he added.
Windsor Park in Dominica will host the first Test match from July 12-16 while the second Test will be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad from July 20-24.
Brathwaite urged the Caribbean cricket fans to come out in large numbers and support the team in the series against India.
“Dominica will host the first Test match, and we call for the supporters in Dominica to come out and support us, but the guys are really looking forward to the first two Test matches of this cycle,” he said.
“That’s great you know in terms of the 100th Test match against West Indies, and it’s in Trinidad, and you know they love their cricket there, so I think it’s important, and we gotta try to make the region proud.”
The Test series will be followed by three ODIs from July 27 to August 1, while the five-match T20I series will be played from August 3 to August 13.
(With PTI Inputs)
