Darren Bravo chooses to "step away for a bit" from cricket after exclusion from West Indies squad

Bravo, 34, last represented in February 2022 but has been in fine domestic form, top-scoring in the regional 50-over competition with an average of 83.20 as he captained Trinidad and Tobago to the title

Darren Bravo has decided to "step away just for a bit" from cricket after being left out of the West Indies squad to face England in three ODIs next month.

Bravo, 34, last represented in February 2022 but has been in fine domestic form, top-scoring in the regional 50-over competition with an average of 83.20 as he captained Trinidad and Tobago to the title.

But his exclusion from the 15-man squad, which features two uncapped players and sees a return for Shane Dowrich based on his regional form, has seen Bravo consider his future.

He took to Instagram, writing: "I've taken some time to ponder and wonder what's my next step moving forward as a cricketer. At this point in my career it's not easy or should I say it takes a lot to continue to find the energy, the passion, commitment and discipline to be able to perform to the best of my ability and put myself in a position to make my return to international cricket."

He added: "Without any level communication I've been left in a very dark place. At the moment there's three teams representing the region in multiple formats/series. That's approximately 40-45 players and if I can't be in any of these teams after competing in our regional tournaments and scoring runs, therefore they are basically telling me that the writing is on the wall.

"I'm not giving up, but I believe it's best to step away just for a bit and maybe make some room for a young and upcoming talent. I will end by wishing each and everyone all the very best.

"I've lived my dream."

^{Bravo has been left out of West Indies' squad to face England (Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images)}

Bravo's comments, which provided no timeline for a return, come after his older brother, Dwayne, criticised the omission in his own Instagram post.

"I'm not surprised by my brother's non-selection," he wrote, "but with the recent changes in WI cricket management, I held onto a bit of hope for the better. This is NOT acceptable, and I just can't make sense of it! So here are my burning questions: What's the criteria for West Indies team selection? Surely, it can't be solely based on performance?"

Lead selector Desmond Haynes explained that Bravo had been left out in order to plan for the future, with the next 50-over World Cup four years away after West Indies missed out on qualification for the tournament just gone.

"It was a very tough decision for us to make as a panel," said Haynes. "Darren has proven, not only this year but last year as well in the Super50 tournament, to be somebody who has performed well at this level. But we have invested in players like Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty.

"We also had to take into consideration that the World Cup 2027 is something that we have got in mind. We believe that we have invested in these players, and we need to give the opportunity to play against a very strong England side. That is the reason why Darren has been omitted."

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