Batsman Darren Bravo is hoping his return to the West Indies team can cease the usual clump of top-order wickets in quick succession, and lay a solid platform for the middle-order to build on.
On West Indies Test tour to England in July, the middle and lower-order were spending more time in the middle than the top three batsmen.
Opener John Campbell and number three Shai Hope struggled to lay any solid foundation for the team.
Bravo, who is arguably one of the better batsmen in the region, makes a return to a country where he has reaped success in the past.
Speaking at Sunday’s Virtual press conference, the left-hander indicated it is important that he helps lay that platform.
“For any innings to be successful you definitely need to have a very good foundation; batting at number three it is important that I sort of set that foundation right for the middle-order,” Bravo stated.
“I don’t want to expose the middle-order too early, especially to the new ball, but having said that I think the likes of Roston Chase and even recently Shamarh Brooks have been playing well so I am quite confident the guys will do well.”
He added, “Being a senior player, it is important to set the tone and show the right example. It is going to be an interesting series; I believe we just need to back ourselves as much as possible and believe in our ability.”
The 31-year-old has played only five Tests over the last 18 months following a two and a half years break from the game over a public fallout with then Cricket West Indies President, Dave Cameron.
He has averaged only 13.25 since his return to Test cricket however, and it led to his axing for the one-off Test against Afghanistan last November. His highest has been 50, which came against England in 2019.
Prior to that break, many felt he was a key cog of West Indies Test batting. According to him, there is no undying need to make up for lost time, but rather make the best of what he can now.
“What is gone is gone; I am not really focusing on that per say. I am at a stage now where I understand my game and obviously more mature in the way I think. I am excited and I think it is about time I really get the runs flowing once more.”
Over the weekend, Bravo cracked a superb hundred as West Indies dominated day two of their three-day warm-up match against New Zealand A in Queenstown. He made 135 off 214 balls (13x4s, 5x6s).
West Indies are preparing to face New Zealand in two Test matches in December. Prior to that, the two sides clash in three T20s from November 27-30.
