West Indies middle order batsman Darren Bravo says that the night before his epic 102 against South Africa, he was busy looking at youtube batting clips of the legendary Brian Lara.
Bravo played what he termed his best ever ODI innings against South Africa, to take the West Indies from a perilous position of 21/4 to 285 all out. South Africa in reply was bundled out for 185 and as a result, West Indies will meet Australia in the finals of the Ballr Tri-series today at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The dapper left hander smashed 102 off 103 balls with 11 fours and four sixes. Speaking to Guardian Media following his knock he said: “I haven’t spoken to Brian for a while but when I am struggling, that is my boy, that is my role model so I always go back to him. Last night I looked at some of his batting clips on youtube and it helped me along today.”
“This was personally my best innings at the one day level. The experience of having Keiron Pollard out there played a big part in this game. He talked to me every single ball and we were able to communicate nicely out there.
“We are confident in the finals, the fans will come out and support us. It is important that we bat well and if the bowlers start well it will be difficult for them to bat because Sunil Narine in the middle overs, going to be a plus for us.”
Bravo came out to bat after struggling openers Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher were back in the hut: “In St. Kitts they gave us two starts and the middle order didn’t click. They go out there every time trying their best and as you know sometimes it doesn’t come off but at other times it does, so I just want to wish them all the best in the finals. Who knows come Sunday we could be batting 100 without loss, so you can never tell.”
Although the West Indies lost their last game against Australia, Bravo is taking heart from the performance he said: “The last game was a very very close game. The manner in which we lost the that game has given us the belief that we can beat any team in the world.
