Chappell backs Bravo for captain

LONDON, CMC – A former Australia captain believes that West Indies need to look no further than Dwayne Bravo for their next captain.

Ian Chappell believes that Bravo is the ideal man to lead West Indies, if and when Chris Gayle steps away from the job.

“Bravo would be my choice,” Chappell told the Daily Telegraph newspaper. “He’s very competitive, and wants the ball in his hand when the going is tough.

“He also wants to bat in challenging situations…He’s an aggressive cricketer, one who thinks positively.”

On West Indies’ tour of England, Gayle ill-advisedly and openly made it clear that he was beginning to resent the position, as well as Test cricket.Though he admitted the job helped him to develop a number of personal life skills, Gayle bemoaned the other pressures and responsibilities that come with the job.

Denesh Ramdin is vice-captain, and should be the next in line, but Chappell sees qualities in Bravo which he feels would make him the ideal man to take on the job.

“I don’t see why he can’t captain the West Indies,” said Chappell. “He gives the impression of being out there to compete and, for me, that’s not a bad starting point for a captain.

“You’ve got a problem, when the captain (Gayle) basically indicates that he doesn’t want to be there. That he’s just keeping the seat warm for somebody.”

Gayle was named captain of the side for a series of four One-day Internationals against India, starting on Friday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.