WICB Media Release
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (WICB) — Recalled West Indies all rounder Dwayne Bravo says he will work very hard to ensure that the West Indies players selected for the New Zealand series, rally behind newly installed captain Denesh Ramdin.
Bravo made the comments during a function hosted by the T&T Cricket Board at their headquarters in Couva on Monday night. The TTCB honoured three West Indies captains at the function, Ramdin the West Indies Test captain, Bravo the West Indies limited overs captain and Merissa Aguilliera the West Indies women’s captain.
During his address, Bravo said :”This is a very important time in West Indies cricket and Denesh needs all the support he can get in order to take us forward. It is not going to be an easy task leading the West Indies but the players can make it easier by rallying around the captain.
“I have enjoyed good relationships with all the players and I am going to do my part to make sure that they give Denesh their fullest support. We have the guys in our ranks to take West Indies to a series victory and we intend to do just that when we go out there.”
After a four-year hiatus, Bravo comes back into the Test squad with the retirement of former captain Darren Sammy. Bravo is among 20 players called to prepare for the series against New Zealand and he is expected to fill the allrounder void left by Sammy’s retirement.
Ramdin meanwhile acknowledged that it will be an uphill task to change around the fortunes of West Indies cricket but stated he is up for the battle. “Ever since I was a little boy I dreamt of playing for the West Indies. I also dreamt of being West Indies captain and now it has happened, I am going to grasp it with both hands and make full use of the opportunity.
“I have a good group of players to work with and I am confident in their ability and commitment and we are looking forward to playing in the upcoming series. I have held discussions with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and they have indicated to me that they are all the way behind me and will be there to lend support.”
The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) is leaving no stone unturned in assisting Ramdin and work on his mental preparation has already started, as they have employed Don La Foucade to conduct sessions with him. Bravo and Aguilliera have joined fellow Trinidadian Lendl Simmons in calling for support for the new West Indies captain.
Earlier this week, Simmons noted that Ramdin was groomed to take over the team over the years and the decision to finally put him in charge was a good one which he wholeheartedly supported.