Mental preparation and skill execution key to success: Brathwaite ahead of India series

West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes their mental preparation and execution of skills on the field will hold the key in the two-Test series against India beginning in Dominica on July 12.

West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes their mental preparation and execution of skills on the field will hold the key in the two-Test series against India beginning in Dominica on July 12.

West Indies Cricket slumped to a new low on July 1 when the two-time champions failed to qualify for the ICC ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year. But Brathwaite and company are eager to look ahead and start the new ICC World Test Championship cycle with the series against India.

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West Indies cricketers are currently attending a training camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua to prepare for the series.

"It's important to start well. We are playing against India, so you know the guys are really looking forward to it," Brathwaite was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies (CWI). "I think as a team, and as batsmen and bowlers, we already have those thoughts in mind about what to expect, and this is why preparation is very important.

"It's all about how you prepare, knowing what we're going to get in terms of conditions, we generally know how the surfaces will play, and we already know India's team, so it's important from now to mentally prepare, and understand the plans we want both as a bowling unit and as batters, so you know it will all come down to execution," he added.

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