Young batting group must learn quickly: Brathwaite
ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said it was critical his young batting unit learned quickly, after watching them crumble in the first Test against Australia here Friday.
The Caribbean side were turned over for 188 and 120 in the first Test, resulting in a 10-wicket defeat before lunch on the third day at Adelaide Oval.
“I think as batsmen it was good for the guys to get out there and get a feel of Test cricket, a feel of what it is like playing against the number one bowling lineup in the world,” said Brathwaite, a veteran of 88 Tests.
“And for them, it is to mentally prepare themselves for how they want to score runs and how they want to score – putting away the bad balls.
“I just think that whole experience of getting out there will help them and it’s important for them to learn and obviously learn fast.”
West Indies arrived here for the two-Test tour with an inexperienced squad, headlined by seven uncapped players.
And with debuts handed to all-rounders Justin Greaves and Kavem Hodge, West Indies entered the Test with an untried middle order which was quickly found out by the Aussie bowlers.
Brathwaite said even though the duo failed to get among the runs, he remained impressed with the character they showed.
“I was very happy with what I saw from Hodge,” he said.
“He didn’t get any runs but in the first innings I saw him leave some balls and defend some balls and he looked the part. Obviously it’s just to take that into performing and getting runs out there and spending time.