WI skipper Kraigg Brathwaite calls for fighting spirit ahead of 1st Test

WEST Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said, despite the success of the West Indies T20 and 50-Over teams, the Test team will not underestimate Sri Lanka when the two-match Test series bowls off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, at 10 am, on Sunday.

West Indies have dominated the Sri Lankans over the past few weeks. The West Indies white-ball teams, led by Kieron Pollard, prevailed with a 2-1 series win in the T20 series followed by a 3-0 series sweep in the One Day International series.

The West Indies Test team will be confident heading into the series following its 2-0 win over Bangladesh last month in Bangladesh, a rare accomplishment for West Indies on foreign soil.

Despite a commanding performance from West Indies in the T20 and 50-Over series, Brathwaite said they are not resting on their laurels.

On Saturday, speaking to journalists on Zoom, Brathwaite said, “One of the first things I stressed on is the One Day series is finished and the T20 series is finished. We can’t underestimate and think we are just going to roll over Sri Lanka because they lost both series. I think it is Test cricket and the guys have the attitude. We have to go out there and fight. What is gone is gone. We have to go out there with the right attitude and obviously with a lot of discipline and the results will take care of itself.”

On what it will mean to win the series, Brathwaite said, “It will mean a lot obviously in terms of being consistent, but as a team I think once we take care of the small targets I think the big picture, the win will take care of itself. It will be great for the team, but I know we are obviously working towards a plan to get to that milestone of winning.”

Brathwaite, who filled in for the absent Jason Holder in the Bangladesh Test series, was retained as the West Indies skipper for the Sri Lanka series.

More than ten players, including Holder, chose not to tour Bangladesh because of covid19 concerns, personal fears or personal reasons. Holder and Darren Bravo are the only two players who were recalled to the team after not touring Bangladesh.

Brathwaite, discussing the return of Bravo and Holder, said, “Two of them are obviously quality international cricketers and we already know what they can give. Jason is the number one allrounder in the world and Darren Bravo is a quality world batsman. They will fit in quite normal to be honest.”

Brathwaite said he has communicated with Holder and Pollard heading into the series.

“I had some chats with Jason and obviously Pollard wished me all the best. We saw a lot of footage from the One Day games and we got some communication from the guys there to the Test team and we obviously look forward to carrying out the specific plans which we came away with.”

Brathwaite said he does not have extra nerves after being named as the full-time Test captain.

“To be honest no. I always see myself as a leader. Even when I was not the captain I was the opening batsman. I want to lead from the front…Bangladesh was good for the team and for me as I said earlier once we continue with that discipline that we showed results will take care of itself.”

SQUADS –

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya.