All-rounder Dwayne Bravo “feels like a kid again” after being recalled to the West Indies‘ squad for this month's T20I series against Ireland.
Bravo has become a relatively permanent fixture in the Chennai Super Kings squad. The veteran West Indian, however, has not played T20I cricket in over three years.
“It's a great feeling,” Bravo told Trinidad radio station I955 fm.
“I got a call that welcomed me back to the team and to play international cricket again. It is something that was always on my mind since the change of leadership and stuff. So just happy I get the opportunity to represent the region again and I am looking forward to doing my best.”
Plenty of T20 credentials for Bravo
The 36-year-old boasts a lengthy domestic career, including last year's stints with the Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 and Winnipeg Hawks in the Global T20 Canada. He has also played in the Caribbean Premier League, Australia's Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, South Africa's Mzansi Super League and IPL.
“Playing a lot of cricket is important, but for me because of the experience I've gained over the years, I am more concerned about my fitness. Obviously, I had this broken finger, which kept getting stronger. I started practising, played a couple of games for Queen's Park (Bravo's local club in Trinidad), but over the years, despite not playing not much cricket, I am still able to go there and compete and contribute in a very good way,” he added.
“For example in the last T10 league, I hadn't played any cricket in about four months prior to that and still was able to go there and deliver and also win the title. It is just happy time for me. Since I announce my return in December, my mind and my motivation was on this series and now that I'm selected I am very happy.”
The recall for the series against Ireland will keep Bravo in contention for a berth in the West Indies' squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. The West Indies are the reigning T20 World Cup (previously called the World Twenty20) champions.
