Bramble ‘holding tight’ to any opportunity against India

By Akeem Greene

It took some time but Anthony Bramble’s dream of playing for West Indies now has reached his doorstep, with him being selected for the first two T20 Internationals against India on August 3 and 4 at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

The wicketkeeper/batsman is the lone newcomer in the 14-man squad, and his selection comes not as a surprise since he has been a consistent performer over the last two seasons of regional cricket for Guyana Jaguars.

Despite not playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) since 2016, Bramble captained West Indies B to the final of the Global T20 Tournament last year in Canada and was recently picked up in the CPL draft to play for his home-based Guyana Amazon Warriors.

He spoke to News Room Sport moments after news broke of his selection on Monday (July 22).

“I must give thanks to God for giving me this opportunity. I must grab it with both hands. This is a once in a life opportunity, and should I be given the chance I must make it count. This is a great opportunity for my career to flourish,” he related.

“It was a great feeling when I got a call from [interim] chairman of selectors [Robert Haynes]. The time has come now and I need to be ready.”

Indian are ranked fifth in T20Is and are coming full strength to play the two-time and current World T20 champions, who are ranked ninth. It means good performances against a world powerhouse could go a long way in cementing a spot.

“India are a top team, it is going to be a competitive tour, we have some very good players of our own and we are ready to compete. If given the opportunity, I have to go out and perform well,” the wicketkeeper/batsman expressed.

Haynes, speaking on Bramble’s selection, stated, “We figured that though Nicholas Pooran will be the first-choice wicketkeeper, we needed to have someone to deputise in case something unexpected happens and he is the perfect choice. He is 27 and has a lot of ambition, and we saw his character come out the way he batted whenever Guyana Jaguars were in problems in the West Indies Championship and Super50 Cup, so we know he is capable of getting the job done.”

In 12 T20 matches, the right-hander has a strike rate of 107.69 and has taken nine catches and effected one stumping.