Brathwaite: Rain didn’t save us from defeat

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite does not believe that the several rain delays in the drawn first Test match against South Africa saved the home side from defeat.

Heavy showers resulted in significant playing time being lost at the Queen’s Park Oval, with only 15 overs being possible on Wednesday’s first day, while only two hours were possible on the penultimate day.

Speaking to members of the media following Sunday’s final day, Brathwaite said the Windies were always positive of pulling off a successful run chase.

Set 298 to win, the West Indies reached 201 for five before both teams agreed to a draw in fading light.

Brathwaite said his troops were positive in their chase and believed they would have pulled it off had it not been for the rain stoppages.

The home side has gone 32 years without a Test series win over South Africa.

“It was surely the plan. Obviously, it’s quite easy to think that you can just come and defend and bat out the day, but I told the boys to trust the plans and fully bat in whatever it is.

“Obviously, Alick [Athanaze] showed it from his approach in terms of sweeping the ball, because I know he is a good sweeper. and for him to go out and do it, I think that was great,” Brathwaite said.

“ ... I wouldn’t say that we escaped. We had 100 runs to win and we were fully confident we would have made them if the rain didn’t fall, albeit the game would have been a little different if we didn’t have the rain breaks.

“But we were fully confident we could get the runs and we pretty much showed it, so we didn’t get away because of any rain,” he maintained.

In high spirits

Brathwaite said the guys were in high spirits heading into Thursday’s second Test in Guyana.

“The more cricket we play the better. When you’re playing a Test match you’re more intense for longer periods and I think the more we do it that’s important. Once we continue to do that as a group and you continue to see guys improve, that’s how we get better.

“The more cricket we play against different opposition, I think that’s how we will improve as a team and as batters,” the captain said.

Meanwhile, Athanaze, who fell just short of his first Test century for 92, said he felt good to know his effort helped to save West Indies from defeat.

While he admitted he was disappointed in not making it to three figures, he said the result was more important to him.

“The result of the match was actually more important than getting the hundred. I mean I would have loved to get a hundred, I’m really hungry for that hundred. It’s a little unfortunate that I didn’t get it but at least I’m getting closer,” Athanaze said.

“Getting runs is always a confidence booster for a batter. In conditions like this, you know, a game scenario where you had to save the Test match, it will do a lot for a young player and the team.”