18 April 2024 last updated at 15:13 GMT
 
I backed my ability: Bravo
Tuesday 01 November 2011

Young West Indies batsman Darren Bravo believes that attack was the best form of defence after scoring his maiden Test hundred in the second Test against Bangladesh.

The left-handed batsman reached his hundred on the third day, before taking his score up to a massive 195 to lift the West Indies to 383-5 in their second innings and an overall lead of 507 on the fourth day at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Wednesday.

"I went out and backed my ability. I played well and it paid off in the end. I was not getting a lot of runs in this series, but I never lost faith," said the 22-year-old from Santa Cruz, Trinidad.

"I knew there was something special for me around the corner. I was always keeping the faith and it feels nice to capitalise on the hard work I have been putting in."

Bravo reached the milestone in his 18th Test innings from the final ball of the third day, cutting debutant spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo square for two, but was dismissed by the same bowler soon after lunch on Day Four, missing out on a double century by just five runs.

"Every batsman dreams of a Test hundred and I'm very happy to reach the landmark. I just went out and played my natural game."

As always, Bravo had to field questions about the comparisons with his idol, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara.

"I look up to Lara a lot," he said. "As a kid growing up, I would look at him batting and when he got out I would turn off the TV to go outside and play.

"To be quite honest, though, this is my natural way of batting. I just go out and express myself. I've heard this question over and over. When I'm performing, nobody sees it as a burden, but as soon as I'm failing, the question pops up." he concluded.

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