BRAVOAUCKLAND, New Zealand (CMC):
Dwayne Bravo's attractive innings of 59 on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand on Friday went a long way towards dispelling any doubts about the West Indies selectors playing him as a specialist batsman at Eden Park.
Yet the supremely confident all-rounder had no doubt that he was capable of doing the job.
"Everyone knows that I am a batting all-rounder," said the 22-year-old Trinidadian at the end of the day's play, harking back to the fact that he made his regional first-class debut as an opening batsman.
CHASTISED
He was even chastised by then captain Brian Lara for failing to make significant contributions with the bat during the VB series in Australia in January of last year.
Ironically, the side strain suffered in the Twenty20 International at the start of the tour - which prevents him from bowling - has allowed him to focus more on refining those batting skills.
"With the injury, it is an opportunity to work even more on my batting and stamp my authority on the New Zealand team as well," he stated.
Although he could not play a part with the ball, Bravo was full of praise for the efforts of his teammates in reducing New Zealand to 98 for four in their second innings at stumps on the second day.
"We went out this time more disciplined and bowled in the right areas more consistently, and got the rewards for it," he said.
