WI skipper Brathwaite: Balance needed to level series vs England

WEST INDIES skipper Kraigg Brathwaite wants his batsmen to strike the right balance and bowlers to improve on their boundary balls as they aim to “find a way” past England in the second Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on July 18, from 6am (TT time).

The maroon lost the three-match series opener by a hefty innings and 114 runs last week but are goal-bound on clawing back to level the contest with the same squad.

Inconsistency with the bat plagued the visitors in the first Test as they crumbled for 121 and 136 in both innings respectively, as England’s first innings total of 371 proved superior.

With a wealth of youthful but inexperienced talent in the starting 11, and a handful of seasoned campaigners, it was spinner Gudakesh Motie who finished as top scorer with an unbeaten knock of 31.

“It’s pretty simple what we go to do, we got to bat better, we got to find a way. It’s a balance. A few guys did get in (with bat) and didn’t go on. It’s important to go on for longer. The longer you bat the easier it becomes and it’s important to stay in that plan for as long as possible,” he said in the post-match press conference on July 17.

The Winders captain called on his batsman, himself included, to play smart cricket and the runs will come.

“You want to put away bad balls that’s what every batsman wants to do. But it’s that hard work that you do for 40 minutes and being able to take that to an hour or two hours, it’s a balance.

“It’s a mixture of putting away the bad balls because when you do it gives you confidence. We just got to keep learning. A lot of learning would have taken place in the first Test and we got to believe our ability and do it, and aim to do it for longer periods.”

Brathwaite had a look at the Trent Bridge pitch and believes it’s “good” for batting while he also favoured the bowlers to get some assistance from it as well.

His bowling attack features lone spinner Motie and four fast bowlers including vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder and youngsters Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph.

Despite being generally pleased with the opening performance, Brathwaite wants a more sharpened approach in the second tie.

West Indies are current holders of the up-for-grabs Richard Botham Trophy, and if the Three Lions win the second Test, the trophy will not return to the Caribbean.

“Motie did a very good job, around three runs per over which especially overseas, you always ask the spinner to be just around that. And then to get two key wickets in England’s team that was very well done.

“Bowling wise, we could improve on the boundary balls, especially square of the wicket, and just a little more discipline. We did a decent job and we got to look forward to the second Test,” he added.

On his double role as captain and opening batsman, Brathwaite scored a combined ten runs (six and four) in the last two innings. He also accepted his shortcomings with the bat at the top of the order and plans to correct them in the second Test.

The weight of both roles, he said, was no “added pressure”.

“I enjoy leading and have been opening (batting) my whole life. When I’m batting it’s always to see off that new ball and be there as long as I can. That’s always my focus.

“At times you don’t get runs and could be a little bit tough but you have to stay mentally tough and keep believing. I know what I have to do and it’s important to lead this team and lead the batting. Just to build that foundation is what I’m focusing on and that will always put us in a better position to score big runs.”

The Bajan batsman added that his youthful bunch, which includes fellow opener and Test series debutant Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge, have the right attitude to win matches, but must learn and adapt quickly if they are to derive the desired result.

“We got some young guys now that have a nice attitude. We just got to remain through it through success and tough times. Like the first Test, it’s easy to give in and give up but we got to keep believing and digging deep.

“Playing any Test match will always be a challenge for anyone that’s young. We’ve been here for a number of weeks and what is gone is gone. The guys are in very good spirits. Mentally it’s really important to believe in yourself and the guys are ready to go.”

WI Team vs England 2nd Test (Trent Bridge, England)

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.