The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

The tragedy of Darren Bravo

Sat, May 19, '18

 

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In that great 1993 coming-of-age flick A Bronx Tale, the bus driver character played by actor Robert De Niro tells his young son: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, you can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t do the right thing then nothing happens.” West Indies batsman Darren Bravo at 29 is an ongoing tragedy. And what makes his case even worse is that he seemingly doesn’t have it between his ears to recognize his descent, or the right people around him to pull him back.

Darren Bravo

There is a connection among Bravo, England’s Joe Root, Indian’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. But that connection has nothing to do with what exists above their shoulders. About ten years ago these five were seen as the future of international cricket for their respective countries. Indeed, four of them introduced themselves to international audiences during the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia – Smith, Williamson, Bravo and the tournament-winning captain Kohli. Their talent was obvious and the world was their oyster. But while Smith, Williamson, Root and Kohli have gone on to fulfil and continue to fulfil their promise, Bravo has seemingly been guided by an inactive section of his cranium and his talent appears to be wasting away.