Brathwaite enticed by prospects of ‘sporting declaration’ by England

Report and Photography by Akeem Greene in Barbados

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West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is hoping England set them a target that is more practical than improbable to chase on the final day of the second Test at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

England reached stumps 40 without loss, extending the lead to 136 with hopefully a full day’s play remaining on Sunday, providing the weather does not play spoilsport.

In the first Test in Antigua, England set West Indies a target of 286 to win in just over two sessions or an equivalent of 71 overs, but the result was a tame draw, with West Indies ‘closing shop’ after an early stutter.

But with both sides hoping to get a win before they head to Grenada for the final Test from March 24, an early declaration could be on the cards by England.

“That [an early declaration] would be nice; obviously, if it [run chase] is a lot closer, but the key is for us to be as tight as possible tomorrow (Sunday) and make it hard for them to declare.”

Though he is open to going for a target that is within grasp, the Bajan opener did not say what might be a comfortable target: “It all depends; we have to see how the weather is. We got to start back tight as a bowling unit and make it hard for England batters to score.”

A SMILE FOR THE FAMILY

After the opener’s marathon innings of 160 – his second-highest Test score – from 489 balls in a 700-minute epic stay at the crease, he revealed it was the first time his mother saw him play a cricket match.

He wears a badge on his shirt in memory of his Grandparents. This Grandmother passed away last June.

But where does he get the immense powers of concentration?

Probably from his father, who played the sport and had an appetite for batting long.