Sledge lit the fuse
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite says a disrespectful sledge by former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg drove his side to a stunning eight-run upset win over Australia in the Gabba test which ended in Brisbane on Sunday.
Brathwaite and members of his team were shown a video clip of Hogg making comments about the West Indies team and it lit the fuse for an emphatic response.
“Rodney Hogg said we were pathetic and hopeless so that was our motivation. I want to ask him, ‘Are these muscles big enough for you?”’ Brathwaite said at the post-match presentation.
In the press conference after the win that drew the series at 1-1, Brathwaite elaborated on Hogg’s comments.
“He expressed himself about how he felt about us as a group and we wanted to let him know that we heard him.
“We planned well as a group, but we saw his words and that was extra motivation for us as well,” he said.
“Test match cricket is never easy (or) winning test matches. When you have a guy disrespecting West Indies, and us players that are playing, it is hurtful.”
The win, inspired by man-of-thematch and series Shamar Joseph’s 7-68 in the second innings, was the first in Australia for the West Indies since 1997 in Perth where Brian Lara played a key role. Lara and West Indies greats Ian Bishop and Carl Hooper were all on hand at the Gabba.
“It means everything to do it in front of the legends like Brian Lara and to win in Australia, a place we haven’t won in a number of years. And to do it with this young group with seven uncapped players is nothing but amazingly special,” Brathwaite said.
“Everyone loves the West Indies and for us to come and do it against the number one team in the world here in Australia … it is great.
“We have won one test match and this is a new beginning for us but we still have work to do.
“Once this group has the belief and plays with heart, we can do anything.”
Making the most of the momentum generated by the victory will not be easy and Brathwaite said more test cricket would be vital for his young group.
“I do believe we should be playing more test cricket more consistently,” Brathwaite said.
“Our next test is July 10 which is a long while away. I believe we have the talent and have showed the world we can win test matches but we need to play more.”
Joseph has had a taste of test cricket and taken 13 wickets in his two tests. Now he wants more.
“It was just great to make amazing history here in Australia,” Joseph said.
“This win is important but it’s just the beginning. We want to do great things.”