Kingstown (St. Vincent): West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite has credited his hero Shivnarine Chanderpaul for helping him record his maiden Test double century against Bangladesh here in the first Test.
The 21-year-old Brathwaite spent 38 nervous balls in the 190s before finally breaking the shackles by sweeping off-spinner Mahmudullah square to reach his landmark Saturday, reports CMC.
He was unbeaten on 205 at the close of the second day of the first Test, with the West Indies on 407 for three at Arnos Vale.
“The first thing is that I was anxious to get the double. The pitch was holding up and it wasn't that easy to score initially. Shiv was telling me to relax and not to force it, and not to try anything new,” Brathwaite said following the day's play.
“(He said) ‘the pitch is not easy, you've worked hard all this time to get to 199 so it doesn't make sense.' He said just to keep fighting and don't get frustrated.”
"It was a big relief. The field was up and I backed myself to go over. I was quite relieved and very, very happy,” he added.
Brathwaite, resuming the day on 123 not out, batted over nine hours, faced 437 balls and struck 14 fours in a patient innings.
He has so far added 146 for the fourth wicket with Chanderpaul, who was unbeaten on 51 - his 64th Test half-century.
With the knock, Brathwaite became the third youngest West Indian to make a double hundred, only behind the legendary Garry Sobers and George Headley.
“I'm feeling very happy. I've been working towards this from months before so I'm quite happy to achieve it,” he said.
“It means a lot (to be in that company). Obviously those guys are legends of West Indies cricket. I'm happy that my name can be around theirs.”
