AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC-West Indies One Day International (ODI) captain Dwayne Bravo says he is relying on his bowling attack to give his side an advantage in the current five match ODI series against New Zealand.
Bravo has heaped praise on his new-ball attack which includes Ravi Rampaul and Jason Holder who took two wickets each in the West Indies tense two-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening match of the series on Thursday.
“There’s a confidence in the bowlers and it showed. They put the pressure on the Kiwis and helped our fresh faces integrate into the lineup,” Bravo said.
“I’ve had honest and open chats with them and as the frontline, it’s important to discuss our brand of bowling and the attitude out there. This is what I’d like to see as a leader. Our bowling from Ravi and Jason was tight and precise and factoring in Sunil Narine, this gives us an advantage.”
Rampaul picked up two for 27 and Holder two for 21 to help destroy the New Zealand batting.
Bravos himself picked up four for 44 as New Zealand, reduced to 32 for four, were restricted to 156 at Eden Park.
“Over the past few years, we’ve always had strength in bowling and we must play to this. We made sure to execute our game plans with the ball against New Zealand and I, myself, had to improve after coming into question as a death bowler this year,” he said.
“So we all knew we had to step it up. Our bowling and fielding were spot on and we still have to note that there’s room to improve with the bat. The pitch wasn’t the best to bat on but it was a good one to deliver to.”
Bravo says while his batsmen may have a more testing time acclimatizing to different conditions in New Zealand his bowlers could easily adapt to the various pitches.
“Over the past few years, we’ve always had strength in bowling and we must play to this. We made sure to execute our game plans with the ball against New Zealand and I, myself, had to improve after coming into question as a death bowler this year,” said Bravo.
“So we all knew we had to step it up. Our bowling and fielding were spot on and we still have to note that there’s room to improve with the bat. The pitch wasn’t the best to bat on but it was a good one to deliver to.”
West Indies, who lost the test series against New Zealand two –nil, lead the ODI series one nil and will play the host in the second match on Sunday.