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Int'l Cricket Council
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Brathwaite reflects on journey to 100 Tests for West Indies ICC World Test Championship
Kraigg Brathwaite will become just the 10th cricketer to play 100 Tests for West Indies when he takes the field against Australia on Thursday, joining an elite list that includes the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara and Gordon Greenidge. Over the years, Brathwaite has become a cornerstone of West Indies cricket in the longest format, amassing 5943 runs with 12 centuries in 99 Tests, leading the team in 39 of them, facing more deliveries than any other West Indian and earning a spot in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year in 2022. His journey began in 2011 as an 18-year-old debutant, but the belief took root much earlier at just 14, when he confidently declared he would one day play 100 Tests for the West Indies. 'I set that goal when I was probably 14 years old — to play 100 Tests. Now I'm here, 18 years later, playing my hundredth Test for West Indies. I'm very thankful, and I just want to be an inspiration for younger guys to follow,' Kraigg Brathwaite said on the eve of the second Test against Australia. 'I didn't want to just be another player — I wanted to make an impact.' It wasn't the dream debut for Brathwaite back in May 2011 against Pakistan in Basseterre. Though he got off the mark with a boundary, scores of 15 and 0 marked a quiet start to his Test career. Kraigg Brathwaite receiving his maiden Test cap ahead of his debut against Pakistan in 2011 // West Indies Cricket By his own admission, it took time for the belief to settle in, but once it did, there was no turning back. A gritty fifty in just his third Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur sparked a run of form, with three more half-centuries coming in his next four matches against top sides like India and Australia. 'I wanted to play for the West Indies from young — but I wasn't sure I could do it on the big stage. As I played more, the belief came that I could get this job done,' he added. 'Pretty much, from my second or third game, I had the belief that I could do it.' It took Brathwaite three years to notch up his maiden Test century – a composed knock against New Zealand in Port of Spain in 2014 – but it marked a turning point, cementing his place as a dependable presence at the top of the West Indies order. 'My first 100 against New Zealand was a feeling I can't really describe. I didn't believe that I would have been that close to a Test century, and then getting it, I could not believe that I scored 100 for West Indies. That really meant a lot and helped me going forward, to know that I can get it done.' 'New Zealand was a young team at the time. They were doing very good things and to get it against them, I felt proud. That gave me the belief that I could get the job done.' Just a few months after his maiden ton, Kraigg Brathwaite went one better, scoring a brilliant 212 in Kingstown, his first double century in Tests. He capped off a remarkable 2014 with a Boxing Day hundred in South Africa, finishing the year with 701 runs at a stellar average of 77.88, his second-best tally in a calendar year. At 32, Brathwaite reflected on his journey with gratitude and shared the mantra that has guided his career – dream big, work hard and stay disciplined. 'Grenada is a special place for me and I'm looking forward to playing my 100th Test match. I'm very happy and thankful to be here and honoured to be playing for West Indies,' he said. 'Whatever it may be, from a young age you can set your goals and targets that you want to achieve in life,' he said. 'Work hard throughout the tough times and the good times. Stay disciplined and never take it for granted.' ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsWest IndiesKraigg Brathwaite
Int'l Cricket Council
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Graeme Smith: The born leader who made South Africa believe
Making over 17,000 international runs, and a prevalent leader for the Proteas for a bulk of his career, Graeme Smith has been enshrined in the ICC Hall of Fame. Originally brought in as a supporting act to the reliable pairing of Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith soon made a name for himself as a tall, imposing opener with a propensity to take the challenge head-on. And only a year into international cricket, Smith was given the ultimate test by South Africa's selectors, being handed over the captaincy reins in the aftermath of a heartbreaking home ICC Men's Cricket World Cup campaign in 2003. Proteas' Relentless Leader | Graeme Smith | ICC Hall of Fame graeme SMITH HALL OF FAME (2025-06-09 13:36:12Z) At 22, when most international cricketers are vying for a place in the XI, Smith was tasked with lifting South Africa's fortunes after the loss of big-name players like Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes and Daryll Cullinan. True to his nature, Smith took the challenge head-on, etching a new chapter in South Africa's cricketing history, transforming the perennially 'nearly there' Proteas into a force that achieved new landmarks. His captaincy exploits were matched by his batting brilliance, and the left-hander ended with the most wins as a Test captain (53) while also finishing with 17,236 runs in international cricket. Debuting against a formidable Australian Test side led by Steve Waugh, Smith fell early in his first batting outing to the great Glenn McGrath. However, not to be deterred, Smith hit a sublime 68 in the second innings, showcasing that he had the goods to make it at the highest level. A string of impressive ODI and Test performances followed, including a double ton in just his third Test against Bangladesh. After the captaincy challenge was hurled at Smith in 2003, making him the youngest-ever South African to lead the Men's side, the left-handed opener took to the task of reversing South Africa's downturns with a fervour. The batter smashed back-to-back double hundreds (277 and 259) against England in just his 11th and 12th Tests in the same year. Despite individual success, which saw Smith being included in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year in 2005, he faced mixed results as a skipper. While the side continued to shine in ODI cricket, especially at home, beating the likes of Australia, Pakistan, India and England, ICC trophy success eluded the side. On the Test front, they struggled away in Asia and Australia, and also had to contend with series losses to England and Australia. Despite all the success at home, including series wins against India and Pakistan in 2006/07, South Africa had not regained their Test potency of the late 90s. While Smith's team shone bright at the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which they also hosted, the Proteas ultimately flattered to deceive. However, it was towards the end of this year that South Africa got a second wind under Smith. Souring the farewell of Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Proteas showed great determination in Pakistan to win both the Test and ODI series towards the end of 2007, with Smith leading the way with 474 runs across the white and red-ball contests. A historical landmark was achieved early in the following year when Smith partnered with Neil McKenzie in an opening stand of 415 against Bangladesh, thus breaking Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy's 1956 feat to become the highest-ever batting partnership for the first wicket in Tests. South Africa won easily in Bangladesh, before holding a strong Indian lineup for a 1-1 series draw in India. Early promise turned for the better as South Africa won a Test series in England for the first time since their readmission to cricket, with Smith leading the way with a series-winning performance in Birmingham, with his 154* sealing a chase of 281. The Proteas' grit and courage were, however, best in show Down Under, when they handed Australia their first-ever home Test series defeat since the 1992/93. Smith marshalled the troops with aplomb while also smashing a match-winning hundred at the WACA and scoring fighting twin 50s in Melbourne. His resolve for a fight was best displayed in the dead rubber in Sydney, when despite a broken arm, the batter walked out to face Mitchell Johnson in full flight. This was South Africa's maiden Test series win in Australia. Smith had a year to remember, finding a place in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year and scoring 1656 runs in 2008, the fourth-most by any Men's player in a calendar year. From 2007 until the end of Smith's tenure, South Africa did not lose a Test series away from home, including repeat series wins in England and Australia, the former of which got them to the No.1 rank as a Test side in 2012. Smith continued notching up the big runs, especially in the Test arena, wherein he averaged close to 45 in the final five years of his career. His output in limited overs remained consistent too, with a feisty 141 in a losing cause against England at the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 being his career best. Under Smith, South Africa regained the sharp edge, reminiscent of the earlier Proteas sides, while also managing historical feats. And in March 2014, having already given up the ODI leadership in 2011, at the age of just 33, Smith retired from international cricket after a home series against Australia. 8659 of his 9265 runs in Tests came when he captained, about 2000 more than the next best Allan Border. And with 6989 ODI runs and 982 T20I runs, Smith also left his mark on the Proteas limited-overs outfit. Yet Smith's legacy would go beyond his impressive numbers.. Under Smith, the Proteas not only reclaimed their identity as a competitive group but also became known as a side that could excel across conditions and walk the talk.
India.com
29-05-2025
- Sport
- India.com
India A vs England Lions 2025: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Tushar Deshpande Take Centre Stage – Schedule, Streaming, Key Players To Watch
As India embarks on a crucial summer tour of England, the India A vs England Lions 2025 series presents a golden opportunity for fringe players and rising stars to make their mark ahead of the marquee five-Test series between India and England. With two unofficial Test matches scheduled—starting May 30 in Canterbury and June 6 in Northampton—the series doubles as both a proving ground and a prep stage for future stars. Among the headline names, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Tushar Deshpande, all Rajasthan Royals teammates, are set to play pivotal roles. No player in the India A squad carries as much anticipation as Yashasvi Jaiswal. The 22-year-old left-handed opener was India's Test sensation in 2024, finishing the year with 1478 runs, the most by any Indian opener in a calendar year. His impressive average of 54.74 and record-breaking 36 sixes elevated him to global recognition, earning him a spot in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year. In IPL 2025, Jaiswal continued to impress, notching up 559 runs in 14 matches, reaffirming his status as a three-format threat. Now, all eyes are on how he adapts to the swinging conditions of England. With a spot in the senior Test squad already secured, these unofficial Tests offer him the ideal platform to fine-tune his game ahead of the England series. Dhruv Jurel: Calm, Composed, and Vice-Captain Dhruv Jurel, recently hailed for his composure behind the stumps and clarity with the bat, will serve as vice-captain for India A. The young wicket-keeper has already shown promise in his brief Test career, amassing 202 runs in four matches at an average of 40.40, including a gritty 90 against England earlier this year. Jurel's leadership role suggests the team management's confidence in his temperament and vision. In English conditions, where keeping can be a demanding task, Jurel's adaptability and game awareness will be crucial. His dual responsibilities as wicket-keeper and deputy to skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran make him one of the most important players to watch in the series. Tushar Deshpande: The Fast Bowling Wildcard While Tushar Deshpande is yet to make his Test debut, his inclusion in the India A squad underscores the selectors' growing faith in his abilities. Having already represented India in T20Is, the pacer is known for his ability to generate steep bounce and movement with the new ball—skills that could prove deadly in English conditions. This series is a major opportunity for Deshpande to leapfrog into red-ball contention, especially with several pacers being rotated in India's Test setup. His performance could be a decisive factor in India A's bowling plans, particularly with the likes of Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep also in the fray. India A vs England Lions 2025 Schedule & Streaming Details 1st Unofficial Test: May 30–June 2 | Spitfire Ground, Canterbury | 3:30 PM IST 2nd Unofficial Test: June 6–9 | County Ground, Northampton | 3:30 PM IST Intra-Squad Match vs Senior India Team: June 13 | Beckenham Live Streaming: Available exclusively on the ECB website and app. There is no TV telecast in India. Why This Series Matters: Beyond the Scoreboard With India's five-match Test series against England looming large from June 20, the India A vs England Lions games serve a dual purpose: player development and match practice. Several India A players—like Jaiswal, Jurel, and Ruturaj Gaikwad—will be joining the senior squad and are expected to use these four-day matches as acclimatisation drills. For England Lions, this is an early chance to test potential Test hopefuls under the captaincy of James Rew, with experienced campaigner Chris Woakes returning to add depth and mentorship.
