Kraigg Brathwaite says Windies’ former glories will inspire current generation against England
Kraigg Brathwaite told Sky Sports Cricket that Windies’ past successes will inspire the current generation as they aim to dent England’s Ashes preparations during the three-Test series.
Windies have slipped to eighth in the Test rankings after winning just two of their past 15 series, with their bid to arrest that run beginning in Barbados on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1pm.
The Kensington Oval evokes memories of former Windies greats, with the Three Ws Stand titled after Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott, the pavilion bearing Sir Garfield Sobers’ name and the ends paying honour to Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner.
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Brathwaite says his side’s glittering history is a motivating factor, just as ECB chairman Colin Graves’ quotes were in 2015 when he described Windies as “mediocre” before the Caribbean side held England to a 1-1 draw.
“[The past] puts us under pressure but it is motivation for us to work hard and aspire to be as good as them and be even better,” said Brathwaite, who scored 134 and 95 when Windies beat England at Headingley in 2017, a game in which fellow Barbadian Shai Hope hit twin tons.
“There is always something to motivate us. Last time England came here we used [Graves’ comments] as motivation and coming here as the underdogs we know what we have got to do.
“We need to go out there, stick to our plans and do our best to come out on top. It’s about not thinking too far ahead.
“We believe, that is the biggest word for us. We know it will take hard work and we need to enjoy it, that is the main thing.”
Opening batsman Brathwaite expects the travelling Barmy Army to make plenty of noise in Barbados – but hopes the return of Darren Bravo can give the home supporters something to cheer.
Bravo, who averages 40 in his 49 Tests, with eight centuries, is back in the squad for the first time in over two years following a thaw in his dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.
“You want to see your home people here but once we have an atmosphere it is always enjoyable,” added Brathwaite. “The Barmy Army always brings a lot of support so it’s all good for the Test.
“It’s nice for us to have [Bravo’s] experience, while he is a left-hander as well so that is something different he will bring to the team. His presence alone will help us.”
Hope was Windies’ hero at Headingley in 2017, with his scores of 147 and 118 not out – his only Test centuries to date – helping his side to a famous victory, just over a week after they had lost 19 wickets in a day to fall to an innings-and-209-run defeat in the day-night game at Edgbaston.
The right-hander was recently described as “class” by Windies legend Sobers – and says he was taken aback by the praise.
Hope considered playing for England
“It’s probably one of the best things I have heard in my life,” said Hope. “What he’s done in cricket, if he can see those things in me there is a lot I can take.
“It was just about trusting my game plan – I knew the importance of the game, especially coming off the last game [at Edgbaston]. It came of well.”
Shai Hope on Headingley 2017
“His presence, him being around, sharing his thoughts with the guys, I’m sure everyone will take it on board, that should encourage them.”
On the first Test in Barbados, Hope added: “It is very refreshing being able to play in front of your fans and family. It means a lot to me, especially as I made my debut here in 2015.
“Confidence will always be high coming in against guys you have played before – we know [England] are pretty tough opposition but that will bring the best out of us as a team. I’m sure the guys are raring to go.”
Windies (from): Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican
England (from): Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Watch England’s tour of the Caribbean live on Sky Sports this winter, starting with the first Test in Barbados from 1pm on Wednesday.
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