Vice-captain of the West Indies Test team Kraigg Brathwaite says once batsmen apply themselves and bowlers keep a steady line, the regional side will be a force to be reckoned with when they battle India in a four-match series starting on Thursday.
The top ranked Indian side is highly favoured against West Indies, currently languishing at number eight in the Test rankings, just above Bangladesh. But Brathwaite, who opens the batting, says patience should be the key for batsmen on slow Caribbean pitches.
“I think the main thing with these pitches in the Caribbean is patience and I think once we carry that both facing their pacers and spinners we will make some big targets. You know it’s important for that first innings total,” said Brathwaite.
“Will need that 300 and above and once we do that we put ourselves in a good position to go forward in the game positively. Looking at their batting again it’s not going to be easy but we are accustomed to these conditions so we know once we get our lengths right and we bowl to some specific field. We will be good”.
As part of their preparations, the Indian cricketers played two warm-up matches against a West Indies Cricket Board XI, which were both drawn.
A training camp which climaxed in Barbados last weekend formed part of the Windies preparation and Brathwaite said he was satisfied with the performance of bowlers and batsmen during the sessions. “I think we had a good camp last weekend in Barbados. We got to go out in the middle and most of the guys had a good run out,” he said.
“The bowlers got some good spells and the batsmen got some good spells from the bowlers and the assistant bowlers that came and help”.
India are going into the series as overwhelming favourites.
They have won the last five Tests series between the two teams, three in India and two in West Indies.
“For me I had a few club games that I played so I am in good shape. Also I think the guys are looking well coming from that camp. I think we are ready for this series” said the Windies Vice-captain.
“As the opener, I just want to build that foundation for the batsmen to come. That is my main focus. Once I can do that I can put the guys in the middle a little more comfortable so we can get big totals”.
The first Test between West Indies and India starts at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua on Thursday. (www.windiescricket.com)
Cover photo caption: Kraigg Brathwaite: “I think the main thing with these pitches in the Caribbean is patience…”
