The curious case of Darren Bravo

Fri, Dec 25, '15

The similarities in batting style and technique between Darren Bravo and Brian Lara were written about even before Bravo made his international debut. A year into Bravo's Test career, there was even more reason to celebrate: in 12 Tests during that period, he had scored 940 runs at an average of 47.05, which were exactly Lara's stats after he had played 12 Tests. As if to celebrate that fact, Bravo scored 166 in the first innings of his 13th Test to push his career average up to 52.50; Lara had made 167 in his 13th. Things were moving in a parallel direction for these two: one had been a jewel in West Indies' batting line-up for several years, and the other was just taking over the mantle, it seemed.

Much has changed since that story of November 2011, though. After 40 Tests, which is Bravo's current tally, his average has dropped to 41.34; after averaging more than 60 in three of his first five series, Bravo has repeated the feat only twice in his next 11. At a similar stage in his career, Lara's average had risen to 55.86, and his exploits included a record-breaking 375 against England in Antigua in his 16th Test. Lara had truly captured the cricket world's imagination with his flair and was among the top three batsmen at the time, while Bravo is currently lagging behind in the pecking order among current batsmen, well adrift of Kane Williamson, AB de Villiers, Steven Smith and Joe Root.

read the full article at ESPNcricinfo