Elegant West Indies batsman Darren Bravo says playing “smart” cricket will be the key to success in the ongoing World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
“The aim is always to get better at what you do. If you keep it simple and play it smart you will get success,” Bravo, 23, was quoted as saying in a West Indies Cricket Board statement on Thursday. “I have played some good innings in the past and that has given me the confidence to go out and perform. It is important that I continue doing what I have been doing and that I believe in myself.”
Bravo, cousin of West Indies batting great Brian Lara, is not a big-hitter like team-mates Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard but is capable of scoring briskly with his exciting stroke-play.
“There are a lot of power-hitters in the team, so it is important that when I get my chance, I look to settle down and bat around the others,” said Bravo, who has so far figured in five T20 internationals. Bravo, who caught the eye with three centuries in four Tests on his team’s tours of Bangladesh and India last year, said he was aware of his “role and responsibility” in the shortest form of the game.
“People tend to think that 20 overs is not a lot of overs but I tend to look at it as balls — there are 120 balls in an innings and that is a lot of balls when you think about it,” said the left-handed batsman.
“If I go in with 100 balls to go, I think that gives me the best possible chance to get a good start and manoeuvre the ball into the spaces. After that you then look to hit the big sixes and fours coming on at the end.”
The West Indies, led by Darren Sammy, clash with Australia in their opening Group B-match in Colombo on Saturday and then take on Ireland on September 24. The top two sides advance to the Super Eights round.
Australia have already won their opening match against Ireland.
