Dhaka, Bangladesh — Darren Bravo roared with delight as he completed two of the most important runs of his cricket career on Monday. The left-hander collected the two runs from a firm cut to register his first international century off the final ball of the third day in the second Test against Bangladesh.
On reaching the landmark he jumped for joy and celebrated on the outfield at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It was a mixture of elation and relief for the 22-year-old as he reached triple figures in his 18th Test innings.
“As I got closer to the century I was very careful. I actually wanted to wait for the right ball to get my first Test century. It was a back of a length delivery and I thought I played it well. I thought it went for four so I started to celebrate before reaching the hundred,” Bravo said with a smile.
“I’m happy … every batsman dreams of a Test hundred and I’m very happy to reach this landmark. I just went out and played my natural game and hit the balls as they came down to me.
“I want to dedicate my performance to the two closest people in my life – my father (John) and my mother (Earline). They have been there for me throughout my life and as I celebrate my milestone I know they must be happy too.”
Bravo played a number of breathtaking attacking strokes and reached the landmark off 165 balls with seven fours and two sixes. He will resume on 100 not out on Tuesday, with the West Indies on 207-3 – an overall lead of 331 in the second innings. He came to the crease on a mission and hit his first ball over long off for a superb boundary.
Bravo’s previous highest score in the series was 24 not out made in the second innings of the drawn first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdury Stadium, Chittagong. During Monday’s century he surpassed his previous highest Test score of 80 made against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo 11 months ago.
“I thought attack was the best form of defence. I went out and backed my ability. I played well and it paid off in the end. I was not getting a lot of runs in this series but I never lost faith. I knew there was something special for me around the corner. I was always keeping the faith and it feels nice to capitalise on the hard work I have been putting in,” he said.
Bravo added 151 for the third wicket with Kirk Edwards, who maintained his superb form with a well-crafted 86 to follow-up his 121 in the first innings. Bravo said the game plan was to continue on Tuesday and set Bangladesh a huge target in the fourth innings of the match.
“It’s not really about me looking for a double (century) or anything like that. I will come back tomorrow and go out there and do my best for the team, which is the most important thing for me. We will discuss plans early in the morning, but at this stage we will look to continue going and set Bangladesh a big target,” Bravo said.
“There was not too much turn in the wicket. Maybe one or two balls did turn, but the ball came on well onto the bat. I don’t see too much deterioration in the wicket. Tomorrow is another day, we will go out there to continue batting and put on a big target for Bangladesh to chase,” he said.