Vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite is planning to set the tone for West Indies at the top of the order as they prepare for the first Test against India in Antigua on Thursday.
West Indies v India first Test preview
Vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite is planning to set the tone for West Indies at the top of the order as they prepare for the first Test against India
India are strong favourites to beat the Windies in the four-match series in the Caribbean in the start of a new era under head coach Anil Kumble.
West Indies are languishing in eighth place in the ICC Test rankings and are expected to be up against when they take on Virat Kohli's side on home soil.
Brathwaite believes the hosts can be a match for India as they aim to make a positive start to the series at the Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound.
The opening batsmen fell six runs shy of a fifth century in the first Test in Hobart before also made 85 in Sydney in January as Australia secured a 2-0 series win and he is eager to make his presence felt again.
He said: "For me I had a few club games that I played so I am in good shape. Also I think the guys are looking well coming from that camp, I think we are ready for this series.
"As the opener, I just want to build that foundation for the batsmen to come. That is my main focus. Once I can do that I can put the guys in the middle a little more comfortable so we can get big totals.
"I think we had a good camp last weekend in Barbados. We got to go out in the middle and most of the guys had a good run out.
"The bowlers got some good spells and the batsmen got some good spells from the bowlers and the assistant bowlers that came and help."
Paceman Miguel Cummins could make his Test debut for the Windies after getting the nod to replace the retired Jerome Taylor.
OPTA STATS:
- West Indies have not won a Test against India since 2002, enduring a winless run of 15 matches since then.
- The Windies are unbeaten at the Vivian Richards Stadium, winning once and drawing three matches in North Sound.
- India are looking to win a third consecutive away Test match for the first time since 2005.
- Kohli needs six runs to reach 3,000 in Test cricket, he will be the 19th India player to achieve that feat and the eighth-fastest Indian if he manages it in this match.
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