Key all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been passed fit and will be available for the West Indies’ opening Test match against Sri Lanka at the Providence Stadium in Guyana starting next Saturday.

 

Bravo is missing Trinidad and Tobago’s sixth-round Carib Beer Series match because of discomfort in his back but he feels better now.

 

 “I felt a little soreness in the lower back last week and missed the four-day Carib Beer Cup match, to get some rest and allow for the stiffness to go away,” he told CMC Sport.

 

 “It has now gone and I am presently training at the Queen’s Park Oval and also in the gym.”

 

Bravo said it was important that the West Indies get a good start in Guyana.

 

“Far too many times we are caught in a position where we are playing catch-up cricket. We need to go out there be positive and give it our best shot in the opening match of the tournament.

 

“Once we can perform to potential and get a win, then we would be in a very good position, since the series is a short one.”

 

The right hander said he expects a great challenge from Sri Lanka.

 

“Sri Lanka is a very good team and they are coming here with the intention of winning. We know it will be a challenging series but personally I am up to it and will be giving off my best for the West Indies team.”

 

Bravo said that wily off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would pose a threat but he thinks the regional batsmen can cope with him.

 

“We have to be positive against the likes of Muralitharan. We know it would be difficult but we need to back ourselves and we can get the results we want,” he said.

 

CMC lw/08