Brathwaite brings colour to cricket with Trident Sports

Cricketers in recent times, including a number of West Indies players, have been bringing their personalities to cricket which has resulted in some colourful bats.

In this year’s Caribbean Premier League, Brathwaite’s red bat has gotten attention from spectators. The bat is an example of the colour which Brathwaite, the current WI T20 captain, is bringing to the game through his brand Trident Sports.

During an interview at the Hilton Hotel, St Ann’s yesterday, Brathwaite said, “The Caribbean is always denoted with flair and the outside-the-box fan. Cricket for the past 100 years have only used the willow bats. Chris (Gayle) had a gold bat, (Andre) Russell had a black bat.

From time to time we just go with a colour that matches the team.

It just brings a different element to the cricket and that is what Trident Sports wants to bring.” Brathwaite said having a unique style helped him develop the idea. “Trident Sports started in 2009 while I was in Ireland.

I wanted some custom equipment for myself while being a professional in the Irish League. I was always the type of person that liked my own look and my stuff custom.” Brathwaite said one of his Indian teammates in Ireland introduced him to a manufacturer in India, and Trident Sports was created. Trident Sports also has cricket apparel such as gloves and pads.

Brathwaite recalled that he would experiment with his own equipment, which also helped him come up with the idea of Trident Sports.

“I had a bat that my dad bought, and as the stickers came off and it became worn I had it cleaned up and then I started to draw on it and that was my brand.

So I ran with the idea and Trident Sports was born. In 2014 we rebranded and we took the brand to new heights.” A number of West Indies cricketers have used Trident Sports equipment including Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Alzarri Joseph, Sunil Ambris, Anderson Phillip and Raymon Reifer.

Trident Sports has given back to charitable organisations in Barbados, and Brathwaite says the rest of the Caribbean will benefit as Trident Sports is a Caribbean brand. “We want to be seen internationally as a Caribbean brand, and in that regard we need to have the support of the Caribbean basically. We intend to continue to give back. We have done so in Barbados from inception really. Loads of charitable organisations we have donated to.” The Barbados Pride and Brathwaite’s former primary school in Barbados have benefitted from Trident Sports sponsorship.