Fine bowling helping my batting: Bravo

St John's, Antigua, June 4 (UNI) West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has attributed his recent success with the bat to his fine bowling form, saying that he knew that a good run with the ball would also rub off on his batting.

''I knew that once I start bowling well it will eventually carry on to my batting,'' Bravo told reporters after the second day of the first Test against India here.

Bravo took four wickets on the first day and followed this up with a 68-run knock on the second day, which included 11 fours.

The all-rounder said his bowling form was having an impact on his batting as well and he felt more confident in his new role of an all-rounder.

''It is showing now, I'm doing well in one department so therefore I'm holding up in another department. I'm growing from strength to strength,'' Bravo said about his performance so far.

Bravo's innings helped West Indies in gaining a vital 77-run first innings lead over India. The all-rounder said he was disappointed with his dismissal after tea, saying that he wanted to play a longer innings. He was stumped off a Virender Sehwag delivery.

''I'm very disappointed with the way I got out, the shot was not called for at that point in time,'' Bravo said.

''Denesh (Ramdin) and myself were the last two recognised batsmen, it was up to us to bat out. I had a flow, a rhythm and momentum going, I didn't want to get bogged down,'' he added.

Talking of the pitch on which Indians could manage just 241 but the Windies went on to score 318 for six on a single day, Bravo said the track favoured the bowlers initially.

''It is a very good pitch for bowling, there was a lot of sideways movement,'' he said.

He said the winning the series was crucial for the development of cricket in the Caribbeans and form a team for the next year's World Cup.

''I know that this series is a very important series for the people of the West Indies and for ourselves,'' he said adding, ''We are now regrouping and our team unity is very good.'' UNI XC PM LR RN1225