{ "id": "46277", "author": "13", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Windies no underdogs, can win 3rd World Cup, says Carlos Brathwaite", "lang": "en", "series": "308", "cup_year": "2019", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Kolkata, March 22 (CRICKETNMORE): Buoyed by their performance against England at home, a rejuvenated West Indies side will go into this summer's World Cup as a balanced unit. All-rounder Carlos Br", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

Kolkata, March 22 (CRICKETNMORE):<\/strong> Buoyed by their performance against England at home, a rejuvenated West Indies side will go into this summer's World Cup as a balanced unit. All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite feels that while they are not favourites to lift the cup, they are no pushovers either.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I think the chances are good but I don't think we will be favourites. And I don't think we will be underdogs," Brathwaite told IANS in an interview on the sidelines of a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The hard-hitting all-rounder was roped in by the two-time champions for Rs 5 crore ahead of this season. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We know what we can do, especially after the series we just had against England. So, it's a balanced expectation in my opinion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"The brand of cricket we played in the Caribbean, if we can replicate that in England, we will go somewhere close to challenging for the title. We have been traditionally a good tournament team. So, hopefully we can win the third World Cup," said the Windies' regular T20 skipper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

West Indies, led by Jason Holder, gave a good account of themselves in the recently concluded five-match ODI series in their backyard, with the series ending 2-2 as the third rubber was washed out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The World Cup in England and Wales starts on May 30 with the Windies' taking on Pakistan on May 31.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brathwaite, who made a comeback to the ODI team for the England series, scored a counter-attacking 36-ball 50 in the fourth ODI remembered for Chris Gayle's 97-ball 162 in Windies' chase of 419. They lost the match by 29 runs. With the ball, he took five wickets in four games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Best known for hitting four successive sixes to finish off England in the last over of the 2016 World T20 final at the Eden Gardens, Brathwaite said it's a happy hunting ground for him and he is happy to be back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's kind of a happy hunting ground. I have had a few good games here. In the same World Cup, I had a good warm-up game with bat and ball. I had a decent game with the ball against India as well, though we didn't cross the line."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

KKR will bank on Brathwaite to deliver the goods with bat and ball. Asked about his goal, the Barbados-born said: "I am not a stats person. If I get wickets and score some runs, take that one or two wickets that will take the team over the line..that's more important.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"If I can help in significant wins and hopefully help the team win the trophy as well, then that would be a successful season for me, regardless of what the numbers say."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 30-year-old has blown hot and cold since the historic feat, only recently making a comeback since playing for the West Indies in an ODI back at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in 2018. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I may not be hitting four and sixes, but I am happy to be the one who comes in and takes crucial wickets or scores an important 20 or 25," Brathwaite said when asked about his return and form. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Not necessarily score a fifty or take a hat-trick to feel that I have contributed. So, that mindset has helped in the last couple of years."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brathwaite will join compatriots Andre Russell and Sunil Narine at KKR. "He is probably the best all-rounder in the world in this format. I will continue to learn from him," he said of Russell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Under the tutelage of head coach and iconic South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, Brathwaite added that he would look to come out of the tournament a better cricketer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I have spoken to him about my batting -- as to how I can be a more consistent finisher -- that I want to be. It has been light-hearted mostly to be honest. He is very relaxed. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I am really looking forward to learn more from one of the legends of the game (Kallis) and strong personality as assistant coach (Simon) Katich. Hopefully after this IPL, I will be a better cricketer."
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