Bravo eager to play key role in World Twenty20

PORT OF SPAIN - West Indies vice-captain Dwayne Bravo is eager to play a key role in the World Twenty20, which begins in Guyana Friday.

The all-rounder recently returned from representing Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he wants to give his all when West Indies play Ireland in the second match of a doubleheader at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence Friday.

“You can expect energy from me always. Whenever I step on the cricket field, it is guaranteed that I will give the team 100 percent,” Bravo was quoted as saying in the Trinidad Express.

“It is part of my job as vice-captain to also be that livewire in the team and also to support Chris (Gayle) who has been doing a good job as the team leader.

“We also have some other very good all-rounders in the team like Darren Sammy and (Kieron) Pollard, who also bring energy and enthusiasm and this helps to keep the players together and pull the team along.”

Last year, West Indies defied the odds to reach the semifinals of the tournament in England before crashing out to Sri Lanka.

Bravo, whose batting and bowling were a key factor then, said his side’s chances of repeating that success were as good as any team in the Caribbean.

“This is a big tournament, a very important tournament for us. We are really, really looking forward to this event. It is an open tournament, all the teams are good and have a good chance, but we believe we have the ability to go all the way,” he said.

“As West Indians, we are all looking forward to the next two weeks so we as a people can showcase to the world what we are all about. As a player, I am up to the challenge and we will be trying to have a better World Twenty20 tournament than we did last year in England.”

“This time around, we are at home and we want to use home advantage and go further.”