As the 10th cricketer to play 100 Test matches for the West Indies, Kraigg Brathwaite will make history on Thursday, July 3, when he hits the pitch against Australia. By completing this, he will become a member of a select group that includes such greats as Sir Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, Gordon Greenidge, Brian Lara, and Clive Lloyd.
The West Indies’ red-ball strategy now relies heavily on Brathwaite. He has amassed 5943 runs in his 99-Test career, including 12 hundreds. In 39 of those games, he has also been the team’s captain. When Braithwaite scored 216 runs against England at Bridgetown in 2022, he faced an incredible 673 deliveries, setting a new record for the most deliveries faced by a West Indian in a Test innings. He was selected for the 2022 ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year as a result of his efforts.
Although the seeds were planted much earlier, Brathwaite made his debut in 2011 at the age of 18. He confidently announced at the age of 14 that he will play 100 Test matches for the West Indies. His ambition is expected to come true in 2025.
“I probably set the ambition to play 100 Test matches when I was 14 years old. I am now playing my hundredth Test match for the West Indies, eighteen years later. Thank you so much, and I just want to serve as an example for younger men. Brathwaite told ICC, “I wanted to make an impact, not just be another player.”
Brathwaite scored 15 and 0 in his first Test match against Pakistan in Basseterre in May 2011. He was able to regain his rhythm quickly, though. He had a run of fine form after hitting a half-century against Bangladesh in Mirpur in his third Test match. In his next four games, he scored three more fifties against Australia and India.
“I wasn’t sure I could perform on a large stage, but I wanted to play for the West Indies since I was young.” I started to believe that I could finish this task as I played more. I essentially thought I could win after my second or third game,” Brathwaite remarked.
Brathwaite’s first Test century came against New Zealand in Port of Spain in 2014, after a three-year wait.
He established himself as a reliable fixture at the top of the West Indies batting order with the innings, which turned out to be a turning point in his career.
“I can’t really put into words how I felt during my first 100 versus New Zealand. I couldn’t believe I hit 100 for the West Indies, and I didn’t think I would have been so close to a Test century. That meant a lot to me and gave me confidence that I could do it, Brathwaite added.
At the time, New Zealand was a youthful team. I was thrilled to be able to take it against them because they were doing excellent work. That made me think I could finish the task,” he continued.
Brathwaite scored his first double hundred, 212, against Bangladesh in Kingstown a few months after his first century. With a Boxing Day century in South Africa to cap off an incredible 2014, he finished with 701 runs at an average of 77.88, his second-best total in a calendar year.
With thankfulness, the 32-year-old has reflected on his path. He attributed his success to a straightforward yet effective motto: have big dreams, put forth a lot of effort, and maintain discipline.
I have a special place in my heart for Grenada, and I am excited to play my 100th Test match there. I’m honoured to be playing for the West Indies and am really grateful to be here. Whatever it may be, you can establish your life goals and objectives at an early age. You can set your goals and targets for your life at a young age, regardless of what they are,” he said.
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