He turned 32 on October 7, and Santa Cruz's Dwayne John Bravo has risen to and maintains his global cricket superstar status as one of the world's leading allrounders. He now has his heart set on achieving the same status, entertaining the world on a different stage, that of music and singing. Since a very young age, first at Harvard and then at the Queen's Park Cricket Club, the right-hander, with his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game, has been a crowd-pleaser on the field of play. That infectious enthusiasm is reflected in his hit release earlier this year of the popular Indo/Anglo fusion song Chalo Chalo, under the moniker DJBravo. It was a collaboration with local chutney star Nisha B. Expect more releases from him after Carnival 2016. His cricketing bio is quite impressive and lengthy
(see www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/player/51439.html), one rising to the position as the regional team's successful ODI/One Day International captain in August 2014 (a team that today he questionably cannot even make due to perceived differences with the controlling body, the West Indies Cricket Board). He made his debut for the national team in regional competition at the Queen's Park Oval in 2002 against Barbados and for the West Indies team in the Test match at Lord's/England in July 2004.
He was a member of the West Indies teams that won the ICC Champions Trophy (ODI format) in 2004 and the ICC World T20 Cup in 2012.
In June 2015 he made history by being the first cricketer to be nominated by the prestigious ESPN in the 'Best Play' category for his stunning one-handed catch, along with the likes of NBA's Steph Curry and football's Lionel Messi.
He is the proud father of two children, Dwaynice and Dwayne Bravo/DJ Junior, and the older brother of fellow West Indies batsman Darren Bravo.
Q: What schools did you attend, including primary?
A: Santa Cruz RC at the primary school level, then Aranguez Junior Sec for one-and-a-half years, and Tranquillity Government at the secondary level.
When and how did you get into playing cricket?
I think I was born to play cricket! My dad used to take the youngsters in our Santa Cruz village along with me, from the age of five, to the Harvard Coaching Clinic. Ever since then, I have been hooked!
What do you consider as your best cricketing achievements thus far?
There have been so many, but I'll say that the most recent captaining the T&T Red Steel and winning the 2015 CPL in front of our home crowd at the Queen's Park Oval was up there with the best of them. Also my performances coming back after injury after missing out on the 2014 IPL for the Chennai Super Kings and playing for them in the Champions League and being their leading wicket taker.
Top three cricketers you have seen in action (non-West Indian) who you admire?
Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Matthew Hayden of South Africa, and MS Dhoni of India.
What advice would you give to the young people of T&T?
There are so many opportunities out there and so much to be achieved once you do the right thing in pursuing your dreams, whatever they may be. Use your talent to be the best you can be. Do what you love and enjoy. It's easy to say, but you must give it your best.
Who was your hero and inspiration growing up?
Definitely Brian Lara, who is also pumpkin vine family.
Do you feel like you are fighting against the wind as far as West Indies
cricket goes compared to the other teams you represent?
It's a lot harder playing for the West Indies than any of the other teams I represent locally, regionally and internationally. We do not value our cricketers like they do elsewhere. We've seen in the past and currently too, if things do not change it will continue in the future. That is an ongoing problem that has contributed to our decline. It's a mentality of disrespect by those in charge. I wish things were different because we have so much talent in the region, but it is not managed properly.
How hard is the constant travel from country to country, living out of a suitcase, and even the distances within countries?
It's very hard being away for so long, as much as ten months for the year, being away from your family and friends. It's not easy not sleeping in your own bed, but as a professional who has to ply one's trade across the world you have to deal with the stresses of living out of a suitcase while having to move every few days to a different location and hotel. Even here at home, you have to be with your team in a hotel so you are still not in your own bed!
Does it get lonely on the road, and is it important to have a happy dressing room and teammates that you can get along with?
Teammates, team spirit and team unity are all very important especially on the road, so much so that your teammates are like your family, like brothers. When you have the spirit and unity it makes life a lot easier.
How much pressure is it to be playing in front of different crowds in different conditions around the world?
For me, it's no added pressure and actually I like the challenge presented. As a professional you have to know your job and be ready to do it well. Having said that, there is that extra drive in front of your home crowd but I won't call it pressure.
Have you patterned your game, including your captaincy, against anyone?
Not really. I just play my game, but I do try to pick up the best qualities from players and captains I play under or against by observing them in action.
Financial stability is important to everyone. What advice would you give to young aspiring players regarding how they manage their finances, if and when they earn the bigger bucks?
Managing money is very important, whether you earn a lot or not so much. In cricket, while we do not earn as much as in some of the other professional sports like football, basketball and baseball, it is important as a professional player to put aside and invest for the future for when your playing days are over, since there is really no structure in place otherwise.
How do you give back to the game that so far has given you so much?
While I cannot give of my time now, I do, along with a few of the other professional players, sponsor at least two players per year to attend the Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament in Barbados. We also have the Dwayne Bravo Kids Day annually in Santa Cruz, which has been going for the last six years. Recently, we held an event with bmobile where part proceeds went to literacy and the disabled.
Who are the people who have influenced you the most in your cricket career?
Brian Lara as mentioned before, Charles Guillen my childhood coach, Richard Smith, who when I was 16 and he was the captain of the T&T team, insisted that I be included, so he was a big influence. And of course my mom and dad.
Tell our readers something about you that you would really like them to know about you?
That I do not drink alcohol, I do not smoke or gamble. I love to party but that only comes on the back of my successes. Also that I train every day!
What motto do you live by and what is your recipe for success?
Nothing in life is easy. Even if you have the natural talent you have to work hard every day while believing in your talent. Enjoy your life to the fullest, you only have one life to live. Always try to help others as you no doubt have been helped along the way.
Most prized possession/s?
Most definitely this year's Humming Bird Gold Medal award. It's something that means a lot to me. I really, really treasure it.
You are now pursuing a singing career. Do you put the same energy into this as you do to your cricket?
Yes, now I do as I have been encouraged by the success of the song Chalo Chalo, which I did with Nisha B. It has become a top party song internationally. Music, like sports, brings people together, and I am blessed to be able to do both, so I intend to continue to work hard at both of them.
Cricket has taken you to many countries...where else would you like to visit?
I have always wanted to go to Nigeria, so that would be it.
What goals and or ambitions do you still have?
Back in 2004, when I first played for the West Indies, my goal was to be part of a team that would take the regional team back to the top of the table. So much has gone against us in achieving that goal at the Test level, but I would still like to be part of the team that takes us to the top of the ODI and T20 format of the game.
Who/what influenced your love for music and encouraged you to actually become a recording artiste?
Being a fan of Beenie Man and wanting to meet him and being star struck when I met him in 2006. We struck up a friendship which led to us doing a recording called Beenie Man and Bravo. I am also a great admirer of Machel and Bunji and hope to collaborate with them sometime if they would have me. These three artistes are so energetic in their performances, so I do see that similarity among the four of us.
Which is your favourite calypso/soca tune?
Machel's Like a Boss and Bunji's We Ready, which was the theme song of the national cricket team.
Tell our readers about obtaining your music.
Chalo Chalo is available on iTunes. I will be releasing some songs after Carnival, at least five, so stay tuned!
Nickname/s?
With the various teams I play for: Big Dog in India, Johnny in Australia after my middle name, Pro in South Africa...it varies.
Favourite food and drink?
Callaloo, macaroni pie, and stew chicken and malta.
What is your cricket schedule for the next few months?
Two T20 games in Sri Lanka for the West Indies, then some T20 games in South Africa, then to Australia, then back home.
Life after playing cricket?
To be home in Trinidad and having one of the leading recording studios around and furthering my music career and, of course, giving back to cricket in whatever way I can.
Describe yourself in two words, one beginning with D, the other with B...your initials?
Dreamer and Brave.