“As a team, it’s not focusing on any results. Obviously, past history suggests it’s been a long time since we got a win in Australia, but we’re focused on our goals. And obviously going through the preparation. That’s important for any Test match,” Brathwaite said at a press conference in Canberra on Tuesday, where the West Indies have two tours ahead of the first Test starting in Perth on November 30. The games – one three-day and one four-day – are played.
“The big focus is that we have ten days of Test cricket, and we want ten days of Test cricket to be played well and solidly.”
It’s not often these days that a touring team gets to play seven days of warm-up cricket before a two-Test series, and it’s an opportunity Brathwaite is grateful for and makes the most of. Want to take advantage.
“The important thing is that we know the Australian team is clearly selected, we know the bowlers we are going to play against, we know the batsmen,” Brathwaite said. “The only thing from now on is just planning mentally – how do we want to play against these guys? So we use these two games to do just that.
“Tej is obviously a guy who can spend a lot of time (between). I’ve seen him play first-class for a while, and he’s always impressed (whenever) he’s (batting). ) I’ve spent. I’m really looking forward to seeing us do great things together.”
Craig Brathwaite on Taginerain Chandrapal
“For us as a team to get out in those conditions and practice matches, which I think is always important before a Test series – so, as a group, we take each day as seriously as possible, the Tests. Getting ready for. The series.”
And when the action turns to Test cricket, it will be the responsibility of the fast bowling pack to set up the matches for the West Indies. Alzari Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Sales and Anderson Phillip are the main men there, and Brathwaite said he expected them to bowl “aggressively with consistency” and “with discipline”.
Does the onus fall on Brathwaite to move things along? “I think the partnership will work very well, honestly,” he said. “Tej is obviously a guy who can spend a lot of time (in the middle). For me, in my game, nothing is going to change, just focus on being in the right position for every ball and … I’m looking forward to that partnership. I’ve seen him play first-class for a while, and he’s always impressed (whatever time) he’s spent (batting). And I really like us together. Looking forward to seeing you do good things.”
One way or another, Brathwaite will prove crucial to West Indies’ fortunes, as he has been for some time now. This year, in those five Tests, he has four half-centuries, including one of 94, and a century, in a Test in which he scored a total of 216 against England at Bridgetown.
“For me it’s just balance. I’ve been working on my balance for a long time,” Brathwaite said. “I think I’m at a stage now where I understand my game at (an) even better level, and getting my balance right has helped me find the gap even better, good balls. to get in good positions for. You’re going. In Test cricket to get a lot of good balls and it’s just (about) how you keep them out. Getting into those good positions gives me those Helped navigate good balls and put a lot of balls in space.”
