Brathwaite feels the Dominican love despite Windies struggles

WEST Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is asking fans in Dominica to show their support in the two-match Test series against India despite the regional team’s disappointing performance of late which saw them fail to qualify for the 2023 International Cricket Council World Cup.

The first Test match bowls off on Wednesday at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica at 10 am. The second Test match will bowl off at Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, on July 20.

West Indies did not qualify for the 2023 World Cup in India later this year after falling short in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe which ended on Sunday. It is the first time West Indies have failed to qualify for the 50-over World Cup.

Brathwaite said they have felt the love in Dominica despite the disappointing performance.

He said, “Kudos to Dominica for showing the support. I think this is the support we need throughout the region. I don’t think guys go out there to do badly as professional sportsmen, but we need the support of the Caribbean and us as players have to show the support some value.”

Speaking more about what he wants to see from his players, Brathwaite said, “I think firstly it starts with attitude. For example, if we are on the field and as a fielder we are chasing the ball to the boundary we want to chase it right down even if it is one run we are saving or even if it ends up going for four.

The Windies skipper said fans want to see players giving 100 per cent.

“The region needs to see some fight and that is all we ask from this Test team.”

The West Indies skipper said the team may start with two spinners as the pitch may be conducive to spin, especially in the latter stages of the match.

Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican are in the 13-man West Indies squad and aiming to make use of the spin-friendly conditions in the Indian team are Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.

Brathwaite said the uncapped West Indies batsmen Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie have potential.

“I think both of them mentally are really strong. Having a number of discussions with Alick I think his head is in the right place for a young guy and he is a confident guy. Kirk is quite similar…these guys are the future of West Indies cricket and they have to know that and as they start their career now, whether they play or not, learning has to take place and once they do that (and) once they are willing to learn and willing to listen (they can be successful).”

Brathwaite is delighted to have West Indies legend Brian Lara around the team again as a performance mentor.

SQUADS

West Indies

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph,Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach Jomel Warrican.

Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan.

India

Rohit Sharma (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Navdeep Saini.