BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, CMC – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite has urged his batsmen to make their starts count, if West Indies are to mount large totals in the two-Test series against Zimbabwe next month.
The right-handed opener led the Caribbean side to 313 for five on the opening day of the four-day tour match against a Zimbabwe XI, after stroking a typically compact 116.
However, his opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul and lower order batsman Kyle Mayers both missed out on half-centuries when they perished for 46, while another left-hander Raymon Reifer spent 1-¼ hours over 23 without pushing on.
At the close, Devon Thomas was unbeaten on 42 with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva on nine.
“It’s important. We have to convert those starts. Obviously it’s a practice game, guys will be looking to see how they got out and if it was a bit of a loss in concentration or not,” Brathwaite said in an interview following play at the Bulawayo Athletic Club here Saturday.
“But I think it is important once we get a start to go big and I know the guys are fully capable of going big and it’s just to believe it.
“The two guys at the crease now, Devon and Josh, look good and I think it is important we start back well tomorrow.”
Prior to the series, Brathwaite stressed the importance of large first innings totals in order for West Indies to take early control of Test matches.
Against Australia last month, their best first innings total was 283 in the opening Test in Perth, which they went on to lose by 164 runs.
Brathwaite, who anchored a 137-run opening stand with Chanderpaul here yesterday, said the overall batting effort had been encouraging.
“I was very impressed [with the batsmen’s focus]. We had one meeting before this game and we spoke about the importance of the first innings.
“Obviously in Test matches we’re looking to start well and get a big total for the first innings so it was very good to get that run out today, and obviously it’s important tomorrow that we start back well and don’t take the position for granted.”
He continued: “Coming back on the second day of a Test match is really important. It sets up the day, it sets up the game with a big first innings total … I think we’ve got to build on this score and … get us in the habit of getting a big first innings score.”
