Photo Credit: Cricket West Indies
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite wants his team to make a winning start to 2023 when the face off against Zimbabwe in the upcoming Test matches, which starts on Saturday in Bulawayo. The West Indies had good preparation including a high-scoring warm-up fixture against the Zimbabwe XI at Bulawayo Sports Cub, and have now moved across town to the Queens Sports Club for the two-Test rubber.
“We’re aiming for an all-round team performance. I think in Australia we obviously didn’t bat well. We got above 250 a few times which was good [but] we didn’t bowl well. We didn’t bowl out Australia at all. I think coming here we’re looking for an all-round performance, one that the bowlers come together to get 20 wickets and then the batsmen putting a lot of runs on the board, especially in the first innings, making it a big total,” Bratwhaite said
The captain was speaking to members of the media on Friday, on the eve of the opening encounter. First ball Saturday is 10am (4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica).
“So, I would say on this tour that all-round performance is what really we’re looking for, gearing towards South Africa next month. Preparation has gone really well. I really like how the guys applied themselves in the practice game we had so that was really good. The guys are looking forward to the first Test. We’re in a very good space.”
West Indies last faced Zimbabwe here six years ago when they captured the two-match series 1-0. They won the opening Test by 117 runs and drew the second, in which the hosts posted in excess of 300 in each innings.
“We had a few practice sessions at the ground. I don’t think there’s any pressure. I think the guys are going to go out there and enjoy it and make West Indians proud. I think both pace and spin will get some assistance. Last time we came I thought the pacers did a good job. It didn’t bounce extremely high but I still think there’s stuff in it for the pacers once they obviously put in the effort,” Brathwaite said.
