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Samuels presence key, says Brathwaite

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Port Elizabeth: West Indies’ rookie opener Kraigg Brathwaite has praised the influence of seasoned campaigner Marlon Samuels, following his third Test century and first outside of the Caribbean here.

The 22-year-old right-hander top-scored with 106 as the West Indies, resuming the fourth day of the second Test on 147 for two, reached the close on 275 for nine at St George’s Park Monday, as per reports.

Brathwaite and Samuels, who stroked a high quality 101, put on a record 176 for the third wicket to put pressure on the South Africans on a rain-hit day where only 35 overs were possible.

“As a little man watching Marlon, I’ve always looked up to him,” said Brathwaite.

“So coming out for the first time, I told him this was the first time we were batting together, and it was privilege batting with him because he’s a batsman I really like and I enjoyed it.

“He would keep encouraging me and tell to keep going and we had a good partnership.”

Samuels, a veteran of 53 Tests, was also quick to haul Brathwaite’s performance, noting that the player had improved his game and this was a good sign for West Indies cricket.

“I can’t remind a guy like Kraigg to be patient because he’s a very patient person. I was just motivating him and telling him to bat on, and as long we could put on a record-breaking partnership it would augur well for us in saving the game,” said Samuels.

“The focus was definitely one where we had to focus right throughout because you were on the field and then off the field (because of the rain). It was a very good discussion we had to keep both batsmen going.

“At the end of the day, it is all about how the pitch is playing and you play to suit. I always work according to the pitch. I’ve also been working hard in terms of different shots and stuff and it’s paying off now.”

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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia

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The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.

Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”

Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.

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