–spending time in the middle key aspect to game

By Clifton Ross 

IN-form West Indies batsman, Darren Bravo, said he fancies batting in New Zealand conditions, following his warm-up century recently as he prepares for the official start of the tour in a few days.

Bravo reminded the Kiwis of his likeness for them during the practice 3-Day game, cracking an elegant 135 with 13 fours and 5 sixes; an innings which not only helped the Windies save the first match, but also helped the left-hander to gather some form ahead of the Test series.

Bravo told the media, on Sunday, that it was his knowledge of the conditions in New Zealand, coupled with his personal goals of batting longer with more success, which has reflected in his recent knock.

“Basically, it’s about spending time out there. It’s always good to have a look at the opposition because the wicket wasn’t a bouncy track, so if you put the ball in the right areas you’ll get the results”, he said regarding his century.

New Zealand batted first and while the squad featured mostly the domestic batch of players, the Trinidadian nevertheless credited the Kiwis side’s approach to the first warm-up. Bravo also credited his batting performance to his personal drive to keep himself challenged when batting out in the middle.

“I think they played pretty well,;they weren’t rushing, so I was just waiting on the bad balls to put them away. Even in the nets, I try not to get out; out there I try to challenge myself and do my best because I really wanted to spend as much time out in the middle and get acclimatized to the conditions”. He said.

With 54 Test matches, 8 tons and 15 fifties and a best of 218, the 31-year-old is among the most senior batsmen on tour– game and stats wise. Regarding his role as one of the young veterans in a side primarily filled with youngsters, Bravo said communication among players is a big thing.

“I try to give advice as much as possible, I even take advice from the youngest player. My goal and responsibility is to always play well for the West Indies. At times it doesn’t happen, but I think when you give advice to the other members of the team, those same players might turn around and give you hold advice, so I think communication is important”, Bravo pointed out.

With his first double-century coming back in the 2013-14 tour of New Zealand where the Windies pulled off a draw, Bravo has since evolved into one of the key members of the Test team and admitted that he relishes the conditions in’ Kiwi land’ and plans to continue his good run in their backyard.

“I think the conditions and the wickets are very good for batting because you don’t get pitches like that back in the Caribbean. When you play in these conditions, you get value for your shots. So, I do enjoy batting in New Zealand but as a test player, it’s about defence and you have to trust your defence”. He said.

With fans returning to the stands under very tight conditions and regulations as part of the ongoing Covid-19 battle, Bravo said the atmosphere with fans is one of the best parts of the game, adding that with or without the love support, he plans to give the Kiwis his best brand of cricket.

“It’s always good to have fans, we definitely like fans, but when I’m batting, it makes no difference to me; but it’s a bit easier when there are no fans”, he jokingly ended.