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Kraigg Brathwaite is a West Indian cricketer who has been making waves in the cricketing world since his debut in 2011. He is known for his solid batting technique, unwavering concentration, and effective leadership skills. Brathwaite has been an integral part of the West Indies Test team for many years and has made significant contributions to the team's success. In this profile, we will take a closer look at the life and career of this talented athlete.
Kraigg Clairmonte Brathwaite was born on December 1st, 1992, in Barbados. He attended Combermere School in Saint Michael where he formed a close friendship with fellow student Rihanna, who helped him overcome anxiety and fear from bullying on the school bus. From a young age, Brathwaite showed a keen interest in cricket and began playing at the age of six. He quickly developed his skills as an opening batsman and caught the attention of coaches at a young age.
Brathwaite made his first-class debut for Combined Campuses and Colleges at just 16 years old against Barbados. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and was included in the West Indies U19 squad for the 2010 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup where he emerged as the leading run-scorer for the West Indies. In May 2011, Brathwaite made his Test debut against Pakistan becoming only the second West Indian to score two Test fifties before his 19th birthday.
Brathwaite has been a regular member of the West Indies Test team since his debut in 2011 as an opening batsman but has yet to play a T20 match at the professional level. His focus and concentration while batting are described as immaculate, and his batting technique is simple and soothing to the eyes. Brathwaite's love for driving the ball and rarely playing away from his body underscores his solid base and watertight technique as a batsman.
He has played a crucial role in some of West Indies' biggest Test wins in recent years. In 2014, his first innings ton helped Windies defeat a strong New Zealand team at Port of Spain. In November 2016, he scored unbeaten innings of 142 and 60 against Pakistan in the UAE, leading Windies to a five-wicket victory. Brathwaite also played an instrumental role in another famous away win for the West Indies at Headingley against England, contributing scores of 134 and 95.
Brathwaite's cricketing career has been one of steady progress, marked by several records and achievements. He holds the record for facing the most number of deliveries by a West Indian batter in a Test match. In October 2016, he became the first opener in Test history to carry his bat in both innings of a match scoring an unbeaten 142 and 60 against Pakistan in Sharjah.
Brathwaite is known for being unflappable, unflamboyant, and organized with an accurate batting technique that often frustrates opposition bowlers with its defensive style of batting. He has been successful in all conditions, averaging more runs away from home than at home while scoring fifties in every country he has played except Sri Lanka.
In March 2021, Brathwaite was named the permanent Test captain of the West Indies after successfully standing as stand-in captain for seven test matches before replacing Jason Holder who was suspended for one match.
Kraigg Brathwaite has been a consistent performer for the West Indies in major ICC tournaments. In the 2011 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, he emerged as the leading run-scorer for the West Indies, scoring 335 runs in six innings at an average of 55.83.
In his first World Cup appearance as a senior player, Brathwaite played a crucial role in helping the West Indies win their second T20 World Cup title in 2016. He scored an unbeaten 34 off 59 balls in the final against England to guide his team to victory.
Brathwaite's performance in the Test arena has also been impressive, with notable contributions in major series against top-ranked teams. He scored two fifties on spin-friendly tracks during the West Indies tour of India in 2011, filling Chris Gayle's shoes admirably.
The Barbadian opener made history when he became the first opener in Test history to carry his bat through both innings of a match, scoring unbeaten innings of 142 and 60 against Pakistan in Sharjah.
In addition, Brathwaite has been part of several successful campaigns for West Indies A. His scintillating form for West Indies A earned him a call-up to the national side for their tour of New Zealand back in December 2013.
The right-handed batsman is yet to feature prominently in any IPL season despite impressive performances at the international level.
As an opening batsman, Kraigg Brathwaite is known for his solid base and immaculate focus and concentration while batting. His batting technique is simple but effective with minimalism being its hallmark; this allows him to be very easy on the eye when at his best.
Brathwaite's batting style is a reflection of his personality – calm, composed, and unflappable. He loves to drive the ball and rarely plays away from his body. Brathwaite's technique is water-tight and he can play long innings.
Despite not being known for his aggression, Brathwaite can accumulate runs at a steady pace. His defensive technique is remarkable, but he also can switch gears when needed.
In terms of weaknesses, Brathwaite has had some issues with converting starts into big scores in recent times. However, expectations are that he will deliver more world-class performances in the future now that he's been given the full-time Test captaincy.
Kraigg Brathwaite is known for being a very private person off the field. He doesn't indulge much in social media or engage in many interviews either; instead keeping things low key and reserved.
Brathwaite has shown great leadership qualities during his tenure as West Indies Test captain so far, leading by example with his hard work on and off the field.
The right-handed opener shares a close friendship with Barbadian singer Rihanna since their school days at Combermere School where she helped him overcome anxiety and fear by protecting him from bullying on the school bus.
Brathwaite has represented various domestic teams such as Combined Campuses and Colleges, Barbados, and Nottinghamshire among others while boasting impressive stats across formats throughout his career.
As far as brand endorsements go, Kraigg Brathwaite hasn't signed too many deals yet but he remains one of West Indies' most reliable batsmen heading into future tours against top-ranked teams around the globe.
Kraigg Brathwaite has been a solid opening batsman for the West Indies team and has shown his mettle in tough situations. He is known for his obdurate temperament and his ability to bat for long periods, which has helped the West Indies achieve some memorable victories.
Brathwaite's legacy lies in his ability to inspire future generations of cricketers to emulate his playing style. His technique and approach have been admired by cricket experts around the world, and many young players look up to him as a role model.
His knock of 94 against England at Headingley in 2017 will forever be etched in people's memories as one of the greatest comebacks by an away team. His partnership with Shai Hope helped West Indies chase down a target of 322 runs to win the match by five wickets.
The fact that he is now the captain of the Test team shows how much he is respected by his teammates and management. He has taken on this mantle with great responsibility, leading from the front with his performances on the field.
Kraigg Brathwaite's performances have earned him several accolades over the years. In 2014, he was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year, becoming only the fifth West Indian player to receive this honour since its inception in 1889.
He was also awarded Player of the Series against Bangladesh in July 2018 after scoring two fifties which helped West Indies win their first Test series in four years. In March 2021, he was made permanent Test captain of the West Indies after having led them on an interim basis during their tour of Bangladesh earlier that same year.
Kraigg Brathwaite may not be a flamboyant player, but his solid technique and temperament have made him a valuable asset to the West Indies team. He has shown that he can perform on any surface, against any team, and in any situation.
As captain of the Test team, Brathwaite has taken on a new challenge in his cricketing journey. His leadership skills coupled with his batting prowess make him a valuable asset for West Indies cricket. Fans and experts alike will be looking forward to seeing how he takes this role forward.
With several years of cricket left in him, Kraigg Brathwaite has the potential to become one of the all-time greats for the West Indies. His contributions to the game have earned him respect and admiration from cricket enthusiasts around the world.
FAQs
What are Kraigg Brathwaite's career statistics?
Kraigg Brathwaite has played 85 Test matches and scored 5,349 runs at an average of 34.96. He has scored 12 centuries and 28 half-centuries in Test cricket.
Has Kraigg Brathwaite received any major awards?
While Brathwaite hasn't received many major awards on a global scale, he was appointed as captain of the Barbados Regional 4-day team in 2014 and became the permanent Test captain of the West Indies in March 2021.
What is unique about Kraigg Brathwaite's batting style?
Brathwaite is known for his patient batting style, which allows him to occupy the crease for long periods and build partnerships. His ability to withstand pressure has been a key asset for the West Indies.
How has Kraigg Brathwaite contributed to West Indies cricket?
Brathwaite's consistent performances as an opening batsman have been crucial for the success of the West Indies cricket team. He has also taken on leadership roles, captaining both Barbados and the West Indies in Test matches.
What is Kraigg Brathwaite's highest Test score?
Brathwaite's highest Test score is 212 runs, which he achieved against Bangladesh in 2014. This inning showcased his ability to bat with patience and resilience while scoring big runs.
