Warriors inspire Bravo century

HOBART: Dwayne Bravo has credited Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup football qualification as the key to his brilliant century against Australia in the Second Test on Sunday. Trinidadian Bravo scored a career-best 113 to stall Australia’s push for victory and raise hopes of a bright new era for West Indian cricket. The 23-year-old was overlooked for the First Test and failed in the first innings in Hobart but said he drew inspiration from his national football team’s 2-1 aggregate victory over Bahrain in the World Cup play-offs. “All through my innings I was thinking about them,” he told a news conference.

“I want to let them know that this hundred is dedicated to them and wish them all the best in the World Cup.” The all-rounder also drew on the experience of his cricketing idol and team-mate Brian Lara, who comes from the same Santa Cruz village in Trinidad. Lara offered Bravo some helpful hints to deal with Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill and the tips worked a treat as he held the two Australians at bay for five hours to register his second Test hundred in as many matches. “He is the best batsman in the world when spin is concerned and it flashed back in my mind so I decided to be more positive and believe in myself,” Bravo said.

The once-mighty West Indies have slipped to eighth in the world rankings but Bravo, one of the new generation of players from the Caribbean, said the future was already looking brighter. “We have a good career ahead of us,” he said. “We don’t want to get complacent and lose focus on our goals. Our goal is to ensure that we play for the full 15 years for West Indies. “I think the guys, they’re all confident and believe in themselves. It’s all about taking it to the Australians and really being more positive. “When we lose we look at ourselves and wonder what to do next because the West Indies have been on the down for a good while now. “We just can’t find our way to win and I think once we get that feeling the tables will turn.” Australia need 78 to clinch the series when they start their second innings on Monday after dismissing the West Indies for 334 on Sunday. (REUTERS)