BRISTOL, England, CMC – West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes he can use his vast experience at the highest level to make an impact for Gloucestershire in his upcoming season of the County Championship with western country uniform .
The 28-year-old player is expected to pitch for the county in the first half of the season, starting with a high-profile clash against Somerset on Thursday in Taunton.
Brathwaite has played 68 Tests and hit nine hundreds, and is on his fourth county campaign having previously appeared for Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Glamorgan.
“Playing here before obviously I have some experience and for me wherever I can help as a batsman and as a council-wise player, I would do that,” said the Barbadian .
“And for me as the opening batsman, just build that foundation to make it easier for the lads who come to follow them. It’s about doing my job to be honest. ”
Brathwaite is coming off a worthwhile Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this month where he was his side’s top runner with 237 runs at an average of 59.
The series also represented his debut as a full-time captain, replacing compatriot Jason Holder, after overseeing the whitewash of Bangladesh earlier this year when Holder skipped the tour.
Brathwaite arrived in England immediately after the Sri Lankan series but was forced into quarantine under the country’s COVID-19 regulations, causing him to miss the club’s first match against Surrey which they won by eight wickets.
And he said he was delighted to finally be in the squad and prepare for the upcoming showdown.
“I am very happy to be here, very happy to be out of quarantine and look forward to doing well for Gloucestershire,” he said.
“Obviously I’m a cricketer and I love to play cricket so coming to see the lads is a nice feeling, and I’m really looking forward to going out there and playing some cricket.”
He continued: “I followed a bit [games] on the website. Obviously, the guys were seen having a good first game. I’ve been on the website [following] and it is good to see the men doing well. ”
Gloucestershire were impressive in their opener, chasing 228 on the final day of the weekend with Graeme van Buuren of South Africa hitting an unbeaten 110.