ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Newly appointed Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite has praised the side’s development under Jason Holder and says he anticipates a productive working relationship with the man he has replaced.
The 28-year-old Brathwaite was announced on Thursday to lead West Indies in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting next weekend, ending Holder’s six-year tenure at the helm.
“We had a chat [Thursday]. I’ve known Jason from the age of 10 so we’re going back, and I don’t think anything will change, ”Brathwaite said here.
“He has my full support and I have his full support so we’re going to work as a team.
“I think this team can make West Indies fans proud and Jason is a key member of us so I’m really looking forward to us going out there and making West Indies fans proud. ”
He continued: “I thought Jason did a great job in the latter [six] years leading the team and for me it’s a privilege to take the lead. ”
Brathwaite, a long-standing deputy for Holder, has already led the West Indies in seven Tests but was the last two in Bangladesh last month, which swayed selectors.
Presiding over a weak side after Holder and a host of first-choice players skipped the tour, Brathwaite led the side to a whitewash, to gain wide acclaim for his inspirational leadership.
Brathwaite, a Barbados captain who also led the West Indies at the 2012 ICC World Cup, acknowledged that the road ahead would be difficult but urged the Test side to keep alive the spirit shown on a Bangladesh tour.
“I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to the opportunity. I always saw myself as a leader, obviously as an opening batsman, ”said Brathwaite, who has played 66 Tests.
“I look forward to the challenge. Obviously it won’t be easy but I thought the attitude we had in Bangladesh was key – the discipline we showed even in the practice sessions. Once we get on with that, the future is very bright for this team. “
Brathwaite’s elevation to the captaincy comes just months after he was removed from the vice-captaincy last year due to a run of poor form, with Roston Chase, the all-rounder, appointed underdog to Holder on for the New Zealand tour.
Chase was among those who opted out of the Bangladesh series and following a pitiful outing in New Zealand that saw him manage 17 runs from four flyovers, has been completely excluded from the 13-man squad to face Sri Lanka.
Famous for his consistency, Brathwaite’s poor cloth saw him average 12 in ten Tests during a 15-month period leading up to the end of 2019, leading to his side scrutiny.
Two half centuries on the English tour last year eased the pressure and he shone with bats and balls in Bangladesh to prove his worth to the side once again.
Brathwaite, who carries a Test average of 32 and scored the last of his eight wickets nearly three years ago, said he did not envisage the cape of captaincy adversely affecting his innings.
“I’m in a good place. On the Bangladesh trip I got started. Unfortunately I didn’t get a hundred [the first Test] but I’m very happy, ”he noted.
“For me, just go out there and build a foundation for the team. When I go out there to bat, I’m a batsman and I don’t necessarily think of being a captain. I am quite happy and look forward to leading this baton. “