Bravo: TKR to bring same energy

TRINBAGO Knight Riders captain Dwayne Bravo said his team will adopt the same attitude and energy when they play St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in qualifier one of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba at 8 pm, tonight.

The winner of tonight’s match will qualify for Saturday’s final, while the loser will play in Thursday’s qualifier two for another chance to qualify for the final.

Bravo said his team will continue with the same mindset. “We played 10 games so all of us are aware of what we have to do in order to get to the final. It is nothing new, most of us as cricketers have been in this position before. It is playoffs, it is the knockout stage, but it is another cricket game.” Knight Riders and Patriots earned the right to play in qualifier one after finishing first and second respectively in the preliminary round of the tournament. Knight Riders finished with 16 points after getting eight wins and two losses, while Patriots ended on 13 points with six wins, three losses and one no result.

Bravo continued, “We have the same attitude, the same energy. Once we approach it the same way hopefully we get the result that we looking for. Not because it is a playoff situation means your preparation must change or guys need to prepare differently.”

Bravo said injured Kiwi Brendon McCullum, who suffered a fracture just above his left wrist on Saturday against the Barbados Tridents, will be missed.

“It is a big loss for us, Brendon has been good not only with the bat but the way he carries himself, he is a true professional off the field and I think his leadership skills definitely will be missed. Very nice guy, the team will miss him for sure.” Australian Daniel Christian has been drafted into the team following McCullum’s injury. However, the TKR captain said aggressive opener William Perkins may feature in the team tonight. “We have William Perkins who is going to replace him. We all know that he has potential so now it is time for him to step up.”