Kraigg Brathwaite stresses consistency to topple India in Test series
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West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite has stressed the importance of consistency from his players in order to challenge the visiting team India in the two-match Test series, starting on Wednesday here at Windsor Park.
It will be the first match for both teams in the new ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025. Brathwaite, a veteran of 85 Tests, 11 of which have come against the Asian side said if West Indies were to topple the visitors, they would need to be consistent from the first ball at Windsor Park.
"We look forward to the challenge. I think we also look forward to the support of the Dominican public. And we had some number discussions on how we want to go about playing and the key is consistency. We want to be consistent and that is from first innings right through the whole Test match into the second Test, and for us we look forward to doing that," Brathwaite told reporters on Tuesday.
"We obviously would always have challenges in the way – good bowling spells, good batting, good partnerships – but as a bowling group we have to stick together and put our heads together. But we look forward to the challenge here in Dominica and we look forward to the crowd coming out and giving up some good home support but we’re ready to go," he added.
Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach has displayed the consistency Brathwaite has asked for, taking 11 wickets in three Tests against India to move into fifth place on the all-time West Indies bowling charts with 261 scalps.
Brathwaite pointed to the Barbadian as one of the keys to unlocking India in the upcoming series and praised the impact Roach brings with him to the bowling attack.
"It’s great to have Kemar around, especially with his experience in the dressing room. On the field he always lends that advice and helping hand to the fast bowlers as well – even spinners at times. So it’s great to have him. He’s a legend of West Indies cricket and I look forward to many more years of Kemar doing well for West Indies," Brathwaite said.
The West Indies' most recent test series took place in early 2023 when they toured South Africa. Unfortunately, they were unable to secure a victory and ended up suffering a 2-0 whitewash.
As they embark on the new WTC cycle for 2023-25, the West Indies will be eager to begin on a positive note and improve their performance.
