Carlos Brathwaite Happy To Be Windies’ Man Friday

Kolkata: All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite wants to be the guy who can snare crucial wickets and play match-winning cameos as the West Indies aim to defy odds and lift their third World Cup which gets underway in England and Wales from Thursday.

The Windies, who haven't played a World Cup final since 1983 having won the first two editions (1975, 1979), are tipped as one of the ‘dark horses’ going into this summer's edition of cricket's biggest prize.

The team is built around power hitters like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer to name a few with the likes of talented Shai Hope and skipper Jason Holder adding depth.

Brathwaite, best known for hitting four successive sixes to finish off England in the last over of the 2016 World T20 final, will be expected to get those much needed runs in the death overs, and break a partnership or two with the ball as the men from the Caribbean tread their path in the marathon league stage where each team takes on the other.

“I have contributed to wins in the past which haven't made as big headlines as the World T20 final contribution,” Brathwaite said.

Against New Zealand in their warm-up tie on Tuesday, the 30-year old nabbed three wickets from nine overs, although he went for 75 runs which can be excused given the nature of the match where more than 750 runs were scored in less than 100 overs.

With the bat, Brathwaite scored 24 runs off 16 balls with the help of three fours and a six as West Indies put up a mammoth 421 on the board after being put into bat.

More telling was his performance in the first warm-up match against tournament favourites Australia in which Brathwaite struck 60 off 64 balls to steady the ship and guide Windies to 229 after they were reeling at 104/6 at one point. (IANS)

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