Captain Brathwaite Backs Young West Indies Side to Learn on the Job as Mikyle Louis Prepares for Test Debut
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes his young and inexperienced squad can overcome the odds once again, as they gear up for the first Test against England at Lord’s starting on Wednesday.
Despite the stunning victory over Australia in Brisbane earlier this year being “history” now, Brathwaite is confident the confidence gleaned from that performance will help lift his team, which features several rookies, including debutant opener Mikyle Louis.
“It was a big positive for us to get a win [in Australia], because it shows that we could we could get the job done,” Brathwaite said. “Obviously the key for us as a group is to do it consistently.”
While only three players in the squad – Brathwaite, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph – have prior experience of playing at the iconic Lord’s venue, the skipper believes the young guns, who played pivotal roles in the Brisbane triumph, are ready to learn on the job.
“I think they’re young and exciting,” he said of the likes of Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge. “The more games they play, the better. They have a lot of talent and we are fully 100% behind them.”
Brathwaite’s own experience at the top of the order will be crucial, just as it was during West Indies’ hard-fought 1-0 win in Barbados last year, which extended their unbeaten home record against England to 20 years.
While England’s “Bazball” approach means Ben Stokes‘ men will not be emulating Brathwaite’s painstaking method, the skipper insists his team will focus on their own plans and back themselves.
“My general style is taking my time, and that’s me,” he said. “All the batters must bat their game, and back their plan. That’s what we will do, we focus on ourselves.”
As for facing veteran England seamer James Anderson, who is set to play his final Test, Brathwaite acknowledged the challenge but urged his team to “trust your defence” and “stay as still as possible” against the legendary bowler.
“My advice to all the younger boys in the group, like Mikyle making his debut, is don’t just expect to play for West Indies, expect to be the first to score 30 hundreds,” Brathwaite concluded. “You got to think big, you know. Don’t think too small.”
🔗 Source