To further develop the format in the Caribbean, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has requested additional Test matches for the national team. On January 17, a two-game Test series between the West Indies and Australia is set to start.
It is also important to note that the team will only play 13 Tests in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle of 2023–2025. The team played India to start their cycle, and they were defeated 1-0. The team’s remaining Test series are two-game affairs; this tour of England is their only three-game series. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite requested more Test matches for the team because he believed that playing in the format would motivate the younger players to perform well.
There aren’t many Test matches played in the West Indies. It would be very beneficial if we had more. Naturally, there is always a strong motivation to play Test cricket since you know that T20 and T10 cricket are also available, so the going will always be tough. However, I think it’s better for us to play more (Test) cricket,” Brathwaite was cited by Sportskeeda.
Interestingly, the West Indies’ last victory in a Test match occurred in February 2023 against Zimbabwe, yet their last victory in the longest format against a top side occurred in early 2022 when they triumphed over England.
I am unable to decide for the guys: Kraigg Brathwaite
Additionally, with the T20 World Cup 2024 rapidly approaching, captain Kraigg Brathwaite discussed the decisions made by Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers to forgo the Test series in order to concentrate on the shorter format. The captain stated that the other players must make their own decisions and that he cannot decide on their behalf. He also mentioned that Test cricket, not shorter forms, is what inspires the next generation of players.
“I can’t make a decision for the lads; I understand why they made the decision; it’s entirely up to them. If we play Test cricket and the West Indies perform well, it will be seen by aspiring Caribbean youth. That will encourage someone to aspire to play for the West Indies. However, he added, “If they don’t see it, they will be motivated to play what they see, which is T20s and T10s worldwide.”
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