After being left out of the next ODI series against England, seasoned middle-order batsman for the West Indies has made the decision to take a hiatus from international cricket.
Darren Bravo announced his intention to forgo selection for the West Indies on social media. The last time the left-handed hitter played for a foreign team was in February 2022.
Bravo has played 200 games for the West Indies during the course of a 14-year international career. With eight hundreds, he has amassed 3538 Test runs at an average of 36.47. He has 3109 runs in ODIs at an average of almost 30, with four tonnes.
With 416 runs at an average of 83.2 and a strike rate of 92.03 in the recently finished Super50 Cup 2023, a West Indies List A domestic competition, he was a prolific performer. He amassed three fifty and a century.
In spite of his performances, the batter was not selected for the England series because the selection committee preferred to give the younger players a chance in preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Darren Bravo took to Instagram to share his explanation, writing that the choice had allowed him some time to consider his cricketing future.
“I’ve taken some time to ponder and wonder what’s my next step moving forward as a cricketer,” Bravo wrote in a letter. “At this point in my career, it’s not easy or should I say it takes a lot to continue to find the energy, the passion, commitment, and discipline to be able to perform to the best of my ability and put myself in a position to make my return to international cricket.”
“I’ve been left in a very dark location without any kind of communication. Currently, three teams represent the region across various forms and series. They are essentially telling me that the writing is on the wall if I can’t be on any of these teams after competing in our regional tournaments and scoring runs. That’s about 40–45 guys.
Bravo clarified, though, that he wasn’t quite done playing cricket for his country just yet.
“I’m not giving up, but I think it’s best to take a temporary break and possibly make room for a new, up-and-coming talent.” Finally, I would want to wish everyone the very best.”
Starting on December 3, West Indies and England will play a home white-ball series that consists of three ODIs and five T20Is.