West Indies skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite says he is impressed by the attitude displayed by the players in the first Test against Sri Lanka last week.
Brathwaite was at the time speaking to the media during a Zoom conference on Friday where he expressed, “I think collectively as a team we stuck it through in tough times, we stuck together and I was very happy with the attitude throughout the game.”
West Indies held on for a draw on the final day at North Sound Antigua, having gained a 102-run lead in the first innings. Sri Lanka then piled on 476 in their second innings with Pathum Nissanka scoring a century while Niroshan Dickwella and Oshada Fernando making 96 and 91 respectively.
With 375 to get in just over a day’s play, Nkrumah Bonner led the resistance with a majestic 113 not out while Kyle Mayers supported with 52 to see the match end in a stalemate.
Brathwaite credited the performance of his men on the final day for pulling off the draw.
He said, “Going into the last day in terms of what was needed, I thought it was great for us as a team to show that fight to bat on a last day pitch and obviously draw a Test match, I think that was a remarkable achievement, and for me the evening really summed up this team’s attitude for the way forward.”
The captain related, “We had a tough time in the field, second innings Sri Lanka batted well, the guys were tired but the session after tea Kemar Roach coming out and basically leading the way with his attitude and energy and we obviously bowled them out in that session and that carried through into the last day.”
Looking at the positives, Brathwaite was pleased to see Rahkeem Cornwall bringing up his maiden half century as well as the partnership he shared with Joshua Da Silva while also acknowledging the efforts of the bowlers in the first innings.
