Bravo two hero

Philip Oliver

Darren Bravo is known as many things. Being regarded growing-up as Dwayne Bravo’s younger brother is enough pressure, but the subsequent earning of the tag of ‘next Brian Lara’ is the sort of thing that lifts expectation to unhealthy levels.

New, young talent has been thin on the ground in the Caribbean for some time. Bravo jr has therefore had his emergence closely monitored and it was only a matter of time before he joined his sibling in the national team.

Darren is a specialist left-handed batsman for whom bowling is an occasional past-time. He is also a part-time wicket-keeper, so the two brothers have every discipline covered between them, thanks to Dwayne’s bowling abilities.

Both are electric presences in the field, Darren sharing his brother’s characteristics of sharp groundwork and a safe pair of hands. They will make a good pair prowling the covers for the national team.

Bravo Jr also possesses his brother’s self-assurance and energy, but is a calmer presence at the crease. Dwayne is a pro-active batsman, always keen to dominate, Darren a silky left-hander who deals more in traditional strokeplay.

The West Indies U19 team was the platform Bravo used to announce himself on the international stage, performing well at the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia. He has already struck two first-class centuries for Trinidad and Tobago and could well soon get a chance in the Test team.

Dwayne Bravo has been an important part of the West Indies team during a disappointing period and Caribbean cricket fans will hope the latest member of the family to don the maroon cap will have the same revitalising effect.

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