West Indies head coach Phil Simmons said that he felt Kraigg Braithwaite was growing as a captain with his calm and composed personality after their impressive 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Phil Simmons Praises Kraigg Braithwaite
During the Bangladesh tour of West Indies 2022, a total of 2 Test matches, 3 T20I’s, and as many as ODI’s were scheduled to play between June 16 – July 16.
The first Test match of the tour started on June 16 where West Indies beats Bangladesh by 7 wickets and leads the 2 match Test series by 1-0.
Winning the toss West Indies decides to field first where Bangladesh scored 103 runs in the first innings. Hosts in their first innings scored 265 runs whereas captain K Brathwaite scored 94 runs as an opening batsman.
In the second innings, Roach with his impressive bowling attack bagged his 10th test five-wicket haul and restricted Bangladesh to score 245 runs. Windies in the second innings scored 88 runs for 3 wickets loss and won the match by 7 wickets.
“I think there is not much to say because everybody has seen his (Braithwaite) determination and his unique style,” Simmons said on Sunday (June 19).
“He doesn’t have a problem being in there for five days and doing his job which is unique because a lot of batsmen nowadays want to play shots and be done with it. But from his point of view, he wants to be there all the time for his team and that rolls into the captaincy”.
“(He) is not loud, but the players know what he wants and in his unique way he makes them understand this is what I want from you and he seems to be growing in the role as we go along and more decisions that he is making, he has been great,” he added.
Simmons also said that opener John Campbell’s unbeaten 58 runs in the second innings against the visitors will give him loads of confidence considering he was unable to make it big despite getting starts in the recent past.
“I think it (unbeaten 58 against Bangladesh) is important for him. I think he had really good starts in most of the games and failing to get past that 30 to 40 mark… so 50 not out must give him some kind of confidence that he can go on and get that big score and hopefully in the next Test match,” he said.
Simmons also heaped praise on Kemar Roach for guiding the youngsters both on and off the field adding that he is happy to have such a leader in the dressing room.
“He (Roach) has been excellent. He is just taking things to the next level. In the dressing room he is always leading the youngsters and letting them know what has to be done to get the way he is because it’s a long way for some of them who haven’t played many Test matches.
“He played 70-odd Test matches and he is educating them off the field as much as on the field so it’s great to have him in the dressing room,” he said before concluding by saying that since their win against England in March 2021, West Indies are much more confident to express themselves.
“It’s just that guys are getting confidence in what they are doing. The more confidence they get, the easier it is to do your job and perform your role for the team. There a lot of confidence after winning the series against England not too long ago so confidence is there and it shows,” he concluded.
The second match and series decider will be played between June 24-28 in Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.
