Windies has come out as a stronger team following Zimbabwe tour: Kraigg Brathwaite

The Windies team recently faced an uphill task when they faced Zimbabwe for a two-Test series. Although the team from the Caribbean won the first Test by an innings inside four days, they were hindered in their attempts at a clean sweep, as the hosts batted the entire final day of the last Test to salvage a draw. However, West Indies vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes the difficult recent tour of Zimbabwe served as excellent preparation ahead of their upcoming two-Test series against the Black Caps starting from Friday.

Playing in the tough African conditions, the Caribbean side were forced to rely on grit and determination in order to succeed. The batsmen especially, had to face a stern test. And the right-handed opener believes that the attributes will be extremely benefecial for them in the upcoming series.

Brathwaite opens up on their recent tour

Speaking on their recently concluded tour, Brathwaite said to Jamaica Gleaner, “Zimbabwe, despite them not being ranked very high, was a tough tour. The pitches were quite slow and low and spinning from day one, and from how they set the fields according to how they play, it wasn’t easy to score runs.”

“But I thought as batsmen, especially playing the spin, we found the gaps, we rotated the strike well, and I thought that momentum gave us the ability to score what we did.” He further added, “It was a tour where we had to stay disciplined, despite it was Zimbabwe, and keep strong in our minds. Things weren’t easy but we fought as a team and we keep improving tour by tour.”

However, Brathwaite said the bowlers had learnt valuable lessons which would be put to use against the Kiwis.

Playing in a warm up fixture against New Zealand A in Lincoln, the Windies earned a draw, with impressive performances for the visitors with both bat and ball. Brathwaite also looks satisfied with the bouncier pitches and expects the team to capitalize.