‘Bravo bowled a champion over’

Medium Bravo sent down a brilliant final over to hand West Indies a dramatic one-run victory over India in the opening Twenty20 International of the two-match series at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium here Saturday. 

With India needing two runs for victory off the final delivery of the game, the crafty Bravo deceived captain MS Dhoni with a superb slower ball, which the batsman edged to Marlon Samuels at third man. 

“Before the final ball, we were just fiddling with fields and wondering if to double bluff or if to just try and stop the two so Bravo finally decided,” Brathwaite recounted afterward. 

“I asked him ‘what’s your plan?’. He said ‘a slower ball’. I didn’t believe he would bowl a slower ball but I told him ‘I’m backing you, execute and express yourself’, and he came up trumps for us yet again. 

“He bowled a champion over, stuck to his guns and bowled a very, very top last delivery to one of the best finishers in world cricket.”

He added: “It’s always a good feeling just to come out on top and personal performances to help victories is always a treat but then when you can watch on as someone (Bravo) you look up to and someone that you see perfect their craft at practice day in, day out and you see them come up trumps … especially with something against the grain like a slower ball, that [puts the performance right up there].” 

The West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said he was delighted to win the first game. “It’s a relief. You always want to get that first win as captain,” said Brathwaite.

“It was a fantastic team effort by the boys. I think that is one of the better T20 games I’ve ever been a part of and it was a fantastic spectacle. I’m just happy that my first game [as captain] could be memorable but more importantly that we came out on top.” 

The victory over India followed their stunning semi-final triumph in the T20 World Cup last March in Mumbai, and their even more dramatic capture of the final in Kolkata against England. 

Brathwaite said West Indies were looking to build on these successes and had their sights firmly set on the number one ranking. “I’m just thankful we came out on the right end of all three, became World champions and now we’re here to defend that and show we are number one in the World and show why we are,” he said.