Bravo predicts batting revival
Matches: 99 (all consecutive) Runs: 6273 Centuries: 11 Average: 38.48 Highest score: 302, v India, Wellington, 2014 Catches: 194 Stumpings: 11 Matches: 254 Runs: 5909 Average: 30.30 Strike rate: 95.03 Highest score: 166, v Ireland, Aberdeen, 2008 Catches: 258 Stumpings: 15 Matches: 71 Runs: 2140 Average: 35.66 Strike rate: 136.21 Highest score: 123, v Bangladesh, Pallekele, 2012 DARREN Bravo is confident his West Indies teammates have the resilience and talent to make a game of the Boxing Day Test.
Bravo was one of few glimmers of hope for the tourists in a woeful performance at Hobart, where Australia belted the visitors inside three days by an innings and 212 runs.
Bravo scored 108 in the West Indies’ first innings, while Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 94 after Steve Smith enforced the follow-on. They were the only knocks of substance in what Bravo termed a “poor Test”.
However, the first drop says his side will be much better prepared for the MCG clash and other batsmen are very much capable of stepping up.
“When you’re not scoring runs it’s always difficult to pick yourself up,” Bravo said.
“But I believe the guys have that sort of resilience in them.
“We’ve scored international hundreds already, we’ve proven we are definitely capable of playing at this level.
“The guys are really up for it. We’re really pumped up … we’re much better prepared and we’re looking forward to it.”
Bravo suggested there was no secret to his success in Hobart – the same mix of aggression and respect that should be commonplace in every Test knock.
“Conditions are very foreign to us … yes they’re a very good team but at the end of the day they’re still humans,” Bravo said.
“They’re going to present bad balls, it’s just a matter of putting them away.
“Respect the good balls … but back yourself and your ability. Don’t be intimidated by the Australian bowlers.”
However, there is little evidence to point towards an improved showing.
The West Indies completed a two-day tour match against an understrength Victorian XI on Sunday.
They managed 7-303 without Bravo and were only able to reduce the inexperienced hosts to 3-169.
In addition, Jerome Taylor missed a catch at fine leg because he had his back to play.
“It’s just a mishap. I don’t want to dwell on that too much,” Bravo said.
He praised the knocks of Jermaine Blackwood and Brathwaite in Geelong, while he pointed to the fact Australia were 3-121 on day one of the first Test as another source of optimism.
“We were in the seat,” he said.
“We need to maintain the momentum … we need to stay focused.”
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