CRICKET-AUS/WIS-Skipper Brathwaite urges caution over green top

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PERTH, Australia– A simmering green top at Perth Stadium is expected to provide plenty of bounce for the opening Test. Still, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has cautioned his bowlers against getting “carried away” when the contest gets underway here Wednesday (Tuesday night, Eastern Caribbean time).

“We’re very excited to get out [there], but we don’t want to get carried away if we see some bounce and stuff [like that] because obviously in the Caribbean, at times, our pitches are quite slow,” Brathwaite said ahead of the opening day.

“But the guys are looking forward to it. We’re coming up against some world-class batsmen, so many young guys are looking forward to the experience and doing well. 

“We’re looking forward to the surfaces [but] the main thing is not to get carried away. I still think the top of off [stump] is the top of off [stump], whether in Bangladesh or Australia, so we’re putting our energies on staying disciplined as a unit.”

Boasting a young squad – the majority of whom are on their first Test tour Down Under – West Indies will rely heavily on the trio of Brathwaite, all-rounder Jason Holder and Kemar Roach, the only three surviving members from the last series here in 2016.

Kemar Roach: one of three surviving players from West Indies’ last Test tour Down Under.

And Brathwaite said information sharing had been crucial in the buildup to the series to ensure players knew what to expect.

“We had a lot of discussions. A few guys would’ve played in the last series here a couple of years ago in Australia, so I think it is always important to share that information, which I think we’ve been doing well,” said the veteran opener.

“We know with a bouncy pitch, you’ve got to be light on your feet, so we’ve just got to be sharp, and I think once we enjoy it, that’s the main thing, and then we take it from there.”

Brathwaite, who will spearhead the side’s batting, said his batting group would also need to temper their approach on the surface at Perth Stadium to challenge Australia’s bowlers.

While acknowledging the stroke-makers in the lineup, Brathwaite said spending time at the crease could not be understated.

“We have different types of batsmen, batsmen that obviously can get on with it. So it’s not to stop them from getting on with it, it’s just for them to do the processes throughout the entire innings, so it’s not to change anyone’s game,” he explained.

“I think time is always great to have in Test cricket as batsmen, and it’s just to give them the confidence to back themselves whether they want to play a shot over mid-off or defend the ball for an hour. It’s just for batsmen to believe.”

And without a series win in Australia in 30 years and a Test match in nearly two decades, Brathwaite said squad unity would also be critical.

“I think as a team, we’re pretty much accustomed to traveling all over the world, and it’s just us out there,” he said.

“That’s why it’s essential to enjoy it, whether in the field. The temperature here is a bit hot, which is lovely. 

“So you’re enjoying everything you’re going through – whether you’re taking wickets, whether it is a partnership building – we want to enjoy one another’s company.

“And I think that makes it easier to get through tough periods. Once we do things like that, I think that will make it easy [to cope].”

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