Bravo not worried about Windies’ bowling

DARREN Bravo believes in the potential of the West Indies bowling attack heading into the two-match Test series against New Zealand, despite only grabbing four wickets in a warm-up match against New Zealand A.

The first Test match will bowl off on December 2 in Hamilton and the second Test will begin in Wellington on December 10. In a three-day practice match, which ended on the weekend, the New Zealand A batsmen enjoyed their time in the middle.

New Zealand A posted 308/3 declared in the first innings, before scoring 124/1 in the second innings when the match ended in a draw.

West Indies captain Jason Holder, one of the team’s leading bowlers in recent years, did not play in the warm-up match as he is still in quarantine after playing in the Indian Premier League.

Bravo, who is expected to lead the Windies batting in the series, said the bowlers took pointers from the New Zealand bowlers and showed positive signs in the second innings.

“We obviously learned from the New Zealand bowlers as well. As I said, it is always good to look at the opposition, the way they go about things in their own conditions,” Bravo told journalists on Zoom, on Sunday.

The Windies fast bowlers have kept the Test team competitive in the last few years led by the trio of Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Holder.

“We did not really get the success that we wanted (in the warm-up match), but having said that if you look at our bowling record in the recent past (with the) likes of Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri (Joseph) those guys have been exceptional for us in the last two to three years. We don’t need to think anything negative per say even though we did not get the amount of wickets, but it was good that the guys actually get a full run and get a feel out in the middle. I am sure if we continue putting in the work the guys going to get it right. I am not really worried about our bowling to be honest.”

Gabriel, Roach and Holder have had stellar performances between 2017 and 2020. Gabriel, who has 143 wickets in his Test career, has snatched 95 wickets in 25 Test matches from 2017 to 2020.