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As his side prepares for Wednesday’s first Test match against England at Lord’s, Kraigg Brathwaite declares that the West Indies’ incredible victory over Australia in Brisbane is “history”. But he’s hoping that the momentum from that January performance will help elevate a young lineup as they get ready for yet another demanding test of their resolve.
The West Indies had little chance of winning at a ground where the hosts had only lost once in 34 Tests dating back to 1988 going into the second Test of that Australia tour in January, particularly following a crushing ten-wicket loss in the opening Test of the series at Adelaide.
Six months later, West Indies face an equally difficult task when they travel to a nation where they haven’t won a series since the peak of their area in 1988. Only three players on the team, Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Alzarri Joseph, have played at Lord’s before, but the captain is certain his team will overcome the challenges once more based on what he saw in Australia.
“It was a big positive for us to get a win, because it shows that we could we could get the job done,” Brathwaite said. “Obviously the key for us as a group is to do it consistently.
“We could take a lot of stuff from that game as batsmen, because we had some important partnerships. Then the bowlers were outstanding. Shamar was the star. But pretty much all the bowlers put in a very good effort, and we caught well as well.
“But it’s history, it’s gone. We got to look forward to this, then the other Test matches in this series, but it at least gives a start that we could get the job done. We’ve just got to believe in ourselves.”
On the eve of the Test, Brathwaite announced his starting eleven. Mikyle Louis, who will open for him, is the first player from the island of St. Kitts to play for the West Indies. The middle order, which includes Nos. 3-5, McKenzie, Athanaze, and Hodge, is hardly much more seasoned, with a combined total of nine caps and 453 runs.
“I think they’re young and exciting,” he said. “Kirk McKenzie got a few fifties in Australia, which was good, Hodge got a nice 80 (71) as well, and Alick got some confidence to show he can do it consistently. The more games they play, the better. They have a lot of talent and we are fully 100% behind them.”