In this modern cricket era dominated by flashing blades, social media stardom, and fastpaced formats, Kraigg Clairmonte Brathwaite has carved out a legacy not with flair, but with fortitude.
The calm and collected opener, who debuted in 2011 as a teenager, has become the enduring heartbeat of West Indies Test cricket. Brathwaite’s Test debut came on May 20, 2011, against Pakistan at Warner Park in St Kitts. Just 18 years old and fresh out of Combermere, he didn’t get many runs in the first Test appearance, but it was the beginning of a long, steadfast career which has helped West Indies to some historic wins.
He will be the third Barbadian opener to play 100 Tests – following in the footsteps of the legendary duo, Sir Gordon Greenidge and the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes. He is also on the verge of reaching 6 000 Test runs and if he reaches the landmark he will become just the 10th West Indian to do so.
Brathwaite’s career has several highlights. In 2014, he scored 701 runs at an average of 77.88 with three tons – including a best of 121 against Bangladesh in St Vincent and a breakthrough 106 in challenging conditions in South Africa. Among West Indian openers who have played at least 10 innings in a year, none has ever recorded a higher yearly average.
Discipline
“From the time I was young, I always wanted to play Test cricket for the West Indies, and it is beyond my dreams to be able to reach this milestone of 100 Test matches for the West Indies, Godwilling. Words can’t describe it. For me, from when I was young, I never thought I would ever play for West Indies and to be here now about to play 100 Test matches, I give thanks for everything. It’s an example to young people around Barbados and the West Indies to dream big and whatever they put their minds to with hard work and discipline they can achieve it; being able to set a goal and work hard to make it,” he said.
“I used to wake up all during the night to watch the cricket from Australia and stay tuned to all the matches from all over the world. Then, I used to enjoy every moment when I went to the ‘old’ Kensington to watch. I used to follow Brian Lara and the way he batted, from the moment he walked down the steps in the pavilion, to how he walked onto the field, to how he took guard and played those amazing shots. Seeing him bat was magical to watch, that is what inspired me.”
Brathwaite said his fafter Arleigh and former Combermere coach Roddy Estwick were his greatest influences.
“I want to thank my father for all he has done for me. From the very beginning, he supported me in everything I did. He used to play cricket and I would go along and watch him and that is where I first learned the game. I could never be who I am without him. Also, Mr Estwick at Combermere, I still call him Mr Estwick. He instilled discipline and taught us the value of hard work. We trained like international cricketers even back when we were at school.”
He recalled his first Test when Pakistan toured the Caribbean in 2011.
“Being in the same team and being in the dressing room with (Shiv) Chanderpaul and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, I was in disbelief. I didn’t play in the first Test in Guyana. Then I made my debut in St Kitts and it was quite special to have my father there to see me face my first ball in Test cricket.
“I remember I got off the mark with a four. Sarwan really looked after me and taught me a lot of Test cricket during my time around the team. That was the only Test match I played with him but I gained a lot of knowledge during that week. We fielded for a very long time in the second innings, and he showed me how to remain focused and how to stay in the game.”
Brathwaite’s greatest achievement was at Headingley in September 2017. He made 134 and together with Shai Hope, rescued the first innings from 35-3 with a stand of 246. Then, he set the stage for the last day’s historic run-chase, with a counterattacking 95.
Enjoyable performances
In Barbados in 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brathwaite batted 489 balls for 160 in the first innings and another 184 balls for 56 not out in the second as West Indies ground out a draw. The 673 balls faced remain the record for the most balls faced in a Test by a West Indian. That year, he was named in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test Team Of The Year.
Brathwaite said he had several enjoyable moments and shared some insights into his best performances.
“I enjoyed all my 12 Test centuries. It was a very good pitch in Sharjah when we played against Pakistan. They had Yasir Shah, who was one of the best spinners in the world, and I remembered how I used my feet against him. To get a century and help us to win after being 2-0 down in the series was special. Being there at the end, that meant a lot. I missed out on two centuries at Headingley, but that match was amazing. I batted well with Shai (Hope) and that helped us to win that match. Coming in, I wasn’t in good form, but this one was great because we won after a big defeat at Edgbaston. It was my first time playing in England and there were questions ‘could I get it done?’. Well, we showed we could get the job done.”
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