Wicketless from his four overs, out for a duck and having his car stolen was not the way the West Indies T20 World Cup winner would have envisaged making his comeback from six months out
West Indies fast-bowling all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite had a disastrous start to the season on his return to action after six months out through injury.
Making his debut for Knowle and Dorridge CC in the Birmingham & District Premier League, Brathwaite conceded 31 runs from his four overs and failed to take a wicket as opponents Leamington CC set 227 to win.
His figures were the most expensive of a bowling attack that included Warwickshire pair Henry Brookes, who missed the whole of last season with a biceps injury, and Jake Lintott who was part of the victorious Southern Brave side in the inaugural season of the men's Hundred.
But it was the performance of the hero from the 2016 T20 World Cup final who stole the attention at Station Road.
What a day yesterday
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) April 17, 2022
- First time bowling in a game after injury for six months 💩
- First ball duck from a long hop 😫
- Car stolen 🤬
But you know what , woke up this morning , Sun is shining and giving thanks 🙏🏾
With the bat, he then holed out for a golden duck as Knowle and Dorridge were bowled out for 215 with a ball to spare, allowing Leamington to prevail by 12 runs.
And it wasn't just on the field that the campaign got off to a rotten start, with Brathwaite also having his car stolen.
He wrote on Twitter: "What a day yesterday - First time bowling in a game after injury for six months - First ball duck from a long hop - Car stolen. But you know what, woke up this morning, Sun is shining and giving thanks. Happy Easter to all."
Brathwaite guided West Indies to T20 World Cup glory in 2016 (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The 33-year-old is playing for Knowle and Dorridge to prepare for the start of the T20 Blast next month where he will captain Birmingham Bears after having shoulder surgery over the winter.
They kick-off their campaign against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on May 26 at Edgbaston.
Last term, he finished as the Bears' leading wicket-taker with 18 dismissals at an average of 17.61 and also scored 183 runs at a strike rate of 150.
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