Bravo says he is close to full recovery

Port of Spain (Trinidad), May 22 (IANS/CMC) West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo says he is close to making a full recovery from injury as he heads to Barbados Thursday to join a training camp ahead of the home series against New Zealand which bowls off next month.

The One Day International (ODI) skipper, who injured his shoulder while fielding in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is attempting to force his way back into the regional Test team, reports CMC.

He is part of the West Indies' 20-man preparatory camp for the series which begins in three weeks.

"I am not ready to play any cricket at the moment but I am getting closer," Bravo told the media during a reception here Wednesday.

"I would say I am about 80 percent fit but there is still some work to be done with my shoulder. I am feeling good. The range of motion is back again so there are a lot of positive signs so I look forward to the camp coming up."

Bravo says he is excited by the prospect of reclaiming his place in the Test side but has insisted that he does not want to rush his recovery.

He last played Test cricket four years ago and recently lamented the failure of the West Indies selectors to include him in the regional side for the longest format of the game since then.

"I leave Thursday to join the West Indies team in the camp and I look forward to challenging for a place and get back to playing cricket again," he said.

"This week I will definitely be back in the nets but I have to take it slowly. It is an injury that I don't think I can rush. I have to make sure it heals properly and then come back when it is the right time."

Bravo plans to use the camp to test his fitness as well as his readiness to return to international cricket.

"It is just a matter of me going to the camp and see if I am able to take part and be fully a part of the camp and give my full commitment, which I don't think I am able to do at the moment," the Trinidadian cricketer explained.

--IANS/CMC

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