DWAYNE Bravo, 39, has said it was only fitting that he played his 100th Caribbean Premier League match in the colours of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), as it is a franchise that is like a family which has become dear to his heart.
Bravo reached the milestone on Sunday in a match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park. TKR will play Barbados Royals at Kensington Oval, Barbados on Wednesday at 7 pm.
In a video posted on the TKR Twitter page, Bravo told his teammates he was fortunate to start his CPL career with TKR in 2013 (then called the TT Red Steel).
"When CPL first started, they had six icons. TT had three of those six, who were Sunil (Narine), (Kieron) Pollard and myself. Obviously three of us could not stay and play in Trinidad. Sunil went to Guyana, Pollard went to Barbados and I was the first captain of the TT franchise."
Bravo said TKR is special to him.
"It is always a pleasure to represent TT, but when it became a franchise we developed a family environment. TKR is very close to my heart.
"Yes, I left for two years (to play for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots), but I guess the stars aligned that God brought me back for me to celebrate my 100th game with this team."
He said playing with Pollard, Narine at TKR and others he has known since childhood has made the journey memorable.
"I wasn't even aware that it was my 100th game, but to play this game with the guys I grew up with (is special). And then there are the younger players. Cricket is our life, and let's treat it like it is our life."
Bravo encouraged his teammates to show class both on and off the field.
"Don't take things for granted. It is not about the wickets, the trophies, the success that I have. What is important for me is that whenever I decide to finish...I want to be remembered as a good person, a good teammate, a good human being, and that is the most important thing for me, over everything else.
"The sky is the limit. This is a great milestone for me, a great achievement."
TKR team manager Colin Borde congratulated Bravo. He told Newsday, "One hundred games played in CPL is a great feat. It shows his tenacity and ability to adjust over the years. His professional approach to his game will always create spaces for him to excel as long as he is playing."
Mark Deyal was unavailable for TKR's last match against the Patriots. Borde said, "The medical staff are working with Deyal and all the players to ensure that come game day, we have the resources to compete."
Irishman Lorcan Tucker stepped up in his TKR debut against Patriots, scoring 36 off 31 balls to help the TT franchise chase down 179 comfortably. Borde said it was great to see him deliver.
The post DJ Bravo: TKR is very close to my heart appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
