Bridgetown, Barbados — Darren Bravo says he is back to his old self, feeling 100 percent fit, and West Indies cricket fans can expect to see him at his best during the upcoming International Cricket Council’s World T20 tournament in Sri Lanka.
The stylish left-hander was sidelined with an injury earlier this year but made a full recovery after completing his rehabilitation in Trinidad. He arrived at the West Indies camp "healthy, strong and focused on the mission ahead".
"It is a great feeling to be back and representing the West Indies. I’m fully fit. I am just looking forward to the Twenty20 World Cup and the rest of the season ahead this year," the 23-year-old said as the West Indies players had another full training session at the Sagicor High Performance Centre.
"The most important thing is to spend as much time out in the middle and try to understand my role and try to execute as best as possible in the practice matches, so that when it comes time for Sri Lanka I will be confident enough to go out there and represent the West Indies and make our people proud."
Bravo has looked relaxed and at ease in every net session so far. He said he is eager to get padded up "have a good hit" in the two warm-up matches slated for the 3Ws Oval on Thursday. He added that he is eagerly looking to head back to Sri Lanka where he made a good start to his Test career back in 2010.
"I will try to use those two matches to get fully back into the groove. I played in the T20 tournament in Trinidad recently and I felt comfortable at the crease again. Thursday will provide another opportunity to see where I am with my comeback. It’s up to me to get out there and make it count. I feel good and back to my old self, so time in the middle should do be fine," Bravo said.
"I made a good start to my Test career in Sri Lanka a few years ago so it is a place that has good memories for me. I enjoy the conditions, the atmosphere and the overall environment there. I have done quite well in Asia in general so this World Cup is something that I’m looking forward to. The camp has gone well so far and we are gearing up nicely. You just have to look around and you will see everyone is smiling as we all look ahead to the tournament."
The World T20 tournament features the 12 best teams in the world and will be played from September 18 to October 7. The West Indies have been drawn in Group B alongside Australia and Ireland. Both first round matches will be at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. West Indies open against the Aussies on Thursday, September 22 followed by a clash with the Irish on Monday, September 24.
Full Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (Wicket-keeper), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith
Reserves: Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Devon Thomas
Team Management: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), Toby Radford (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez-Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)
SCHEDULE
Warm-up matches
Thursday, Sept 13: vs Sri Lanka – NCC, Colombo
Monday, Sept 17: vs Afghanistan – P Sara Oval, Colombo
First round matches
Saturday, Sept 22: vs Australia – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Monday, Sept 24: vs Ireland – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Super Eight matches
Thursday, Sept 27: C1 v D2 – Pallekele
Thursday, Sept 27: A1 v B2 – Pallekele
Friday, Sept 28: D1 v C2 – Colombo
Friday, Sept 28: B1 v A2 – Colombo
Saturday, Sept 29: A1 v D2 – Pallekele
Saturday, Sept 29: C1 v B2 – Pallekele
Sunday Sept 30: B1 v C2 – Colombo
Sunday Sept 30: D1 v A2 – Colombo
Monday, Oct 1: B2 v D2 – Pallekele
Monday, Oct 1: A1 v C1 – Pallekele
Tuesday, Oct 2: B1 v D1 – Colombo
Tuesday, Oct 2: A2 v C2 – Colombo
Semi-finals
Thursday, October 4: Super 8 Group 1-1 vs Super 8 Group 2-2 – R Premadasa Stadium
Friday, October 5: Super 8 Group 2-1 vs Super 8 Group 1-2 – R Premadasa Stadium
Grand Final: Sunday, October 7 – R Premadasa Stadium