Kraigg Brathwaite will etch his title into the historical past books on Thursday, July 3, when he takes the sphere in opposition to Australia, as he’ll turn out to be simply the tenth cricketer to play 100 Take a look at matches for the West Indies. In doing so, he’ll be part of an elite group together with the legendary likes of Sir Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Gordon Greenidge and Chris Gayle.
Brathwaite has turn out to be a cornerstone of the West Indies’ red-ball setup. In his 99-Take a look at profession to date, he has scored 5943 runs, together with 12 centuries. He has additionally led the staff in 39 of these matches. Braithwaite additionally holds the document of dealing with most deliveries in Take a look at innings for a West Indian in Take a look at cricket, as he confronted a whopping 673 deliveries for his 216-run knock in opposition to England at Bridgetown in 2022. His performances earned him a spot within the ICC Males’s Take a look at Crew of the Yr in 2022.
Brathwaite made his debut in 2011 as an 18-year-old, however the seeds have been sown a lot earlier. At simply 14, he boldly declared that he would play 100 Checks for the West Indies. Come 2025, his dream is about to materialise.
“I set that objective after I was most likely 14 years outdated — to play 100 Checks. Now I’m right here, 18 years later, taking part in my hundredth Take a look at for the West Indies. I’m very grateful, and I simply wish to be an inspiration for youthful guys to observe. I didn’t wish to simply be one other participant — I wished to make an impression,” Brathwaite stated to ICC.
Brathwaite made his Take a look at debut in Might 2011 in opposition to Pakistan in Basseterre, scoring 15 and 0. Nonetheless, it didn’t take lengthy for him to seek out his rhythm. In his third Take a look at, he scored a half-century in opposition to Bangladesh in Mirpur, a knock that sparked a run of fine type. He adopted it up with three extra fifties in his subsequent 4 matches in opposition to India and Australia.
“I wished to play for the West Indies from younger — however I wasn’t positive I may do it on the massive stage. As I performed extra, the idea got here that I may get this job carried out. Just about, from my second or third recreation, I had the idea that I may do it,” Brathwaite stated.
It took Brathwaite three years to register his maiden Take a look at century, which got here in opposition to New Zealand in Port of Spain in 2014. The innings proved to be a turning level in his profession, serving to him cement his place as a reliable presence on the prime of the West Indies batting order.
“My first 100 in opposition to New Zealand was a sense I am unable to actually describe. I didn’t consider that I’d have been that near a Take a look at century, after which getting it, I couldn’t consider that I scored 100 for West Indies. That basically meant lots and helped me going ahead, to know that I can get it carried out,” Brathwaite stated.
“New Zealand was a younger staff on the time. They have been doing superb issues and to get it in opposition to them, I felt proud. That gave me the idea that I may get the job carried out,” he added.
Just a few months after his maiden century, Brathwaite went on to attain his first double hundred, 212 in opposition to Bangladesh in Kingstown. He capped off a exceptional 2014 with a Boxing Day century in South Africa, ending the 12 months with 701 runs at a mean of 77.88, his second-best in a calendar 12 months.
The 32-year-old has regarded again on his journey with gratitude. He credited his success to a easy however highly effective mantra: dream massive, work arduous, and keep disciplined.
“Grenada is a particular place for me and I’m trying ahead to taking part in my a centesimal Take a look at match. I am very completely satisfied and grateful to be right here and honoured to be taking part in for the West Indies. No matter it could be, from a younger age you possibly can set your targets and targets that you just wish to obtain in life. No matter it could be, from a younger age you possibly can set your targets and targets that you just wish to obtain in life,” he concluded.
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