West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo gained immediate inspiration from pre-match advice given by England's new knight Ian Botham on Saturday during a rain-affected second day in the fourth Test.
Trinidadian Bravo was 43 not out at the close in partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (44 not out) as West Indies reached 132 for four at the close. The first day was washed out.
Botham was knighted in Queen Elizabeth's birthday honours list published on Saturday for his services to cricket and charity.
"I saw him at Manchester [in the last match] and said if it's possible could I have a word but we didn't get chance so we chatted this morning while it was raining," Bravo told reporters.
"I asked him how he balanced batting and bowling and whether he has seen anything in my game that he could help me with. He said to me 'don't let the situation of the game take away your natural style' and always be positive.
"I'm really pleased to have met him. You read about these great players growing up and it's nice to speak to them and know what they used to do. I chose Mr Botham because he was an all-rounder like me and I would like to emulate him."
Bravo needed to demonstrate his growing maturity after coming to the wicket with his team in trouble and then faced 20 balls before getting off the mark. His partnership with Chanderpaul is worth 77.
"I was not really too concerned about getting off the mark," Bravo said. "Coming in at 55 for four, I said to myself here's my opportunity to get a big one and put on a partnership with Shiv."
