Team strategy may have to review after Bravo’s exit: Coach Gibson
By IANSSaturday, February 26, 2011
NEW DELHI - West Indies coach Ottis Gibson Saturday said they may have to review their World Cup strategy in the light of pivotal all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s injury.
Bravo,27, has been ruled out of the ongoing World Cup owing to a knee injury he picked up in the match against South Africa Thursday. The scan on Bravo’s left knee revealed a sprained ligament and torn cartilage. He is returning home as he likely to be out for four weeks.
Gibson said Bravo is a “big miss” for the side.
“It’s a big setback obviously. Our strategy was built around three all-rounders - captain Darren Sammy, Bravo and Keiron Pollard. It gives us an opportunity to, may be, rethink our strategy.
“With him (Bravo) missing it has made us think whether we a need a batsman at number six and perhaps an extra bowler,” Gibson said after a practice session here ahead of their Monday’s match against the Netherlands.
Bravo was the third player to leave the West Indies squad after wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh and opener Adrian Barath were ruled out due to injuries in the warm-up games.
“Carlton and Adrian showed good form in Sri Lanka and they are out. (Adrian) got a hundred and Carlton was beginning to show some good form behind the wickets and with the bat as well. Missing them was a bit of a setback. But then the big one was (Dwayne) Bravo obviously.”
“We all saw on TV what happened to him. Bravo has been a key member of our team for a long time. He is a sort of energiser in the team, he brings in a lot of energy into the side with his fielding, bowling and batting and also with his presence in dressing room. So that’s a big miss.”
Gibson said the discussions are going between him and the selector to find a suitable replacement for Bravo.
“But we haven’t decided as yet. The time difference is 10 hours and it’s a weekend as well but those discussions are going on,” he said.
“Having said that, we have to look at what’s best for the team. Who do we draft in that will complement the team as well.”
