Kraigg Brathwaite is a name renowned across the Caribbean for his cricket exploits but he might owe his childhood to pop icon Rihanna.
Set to captain the West Indies during their tour of England in July, Brathwaite’s ability with the bat is the envy of many across the world.
His career skyrocketed as a youngster, scoring 28 centuries before breaking into the West Indian under-15 team where he scored 122 on his debut.
He went on to make his first-class cricket debut at the age of 16, knocking 73 runs after opening the batting as his prodigal skills came to light.
Brathwaite had found his rhythm, with ice in his veins and a powerful arm that had bowlers sizzling in the Barbados sun.
But it could have all been very different had the bullies had their way when he was growing up as a lad at Combermere School in Saint Michael.
Being picked on because of his scrawniness, getting on the school bus was the start of his trouble that saw him overcome with anxiety and fear.
However, BoBo made quite the ally in future queen of pop Rihanna.
The two waited at the same bus stop together and formed a close bond despite the four-year age gap.
Known simply as Robyn Fenty at the time, Rihanna would look out for Brathwaite like a little brother, who would sit with her on the bus.
If any bullies tried to pick on the youngster, they had Rihanna to deal with, who was not afraid to fiercely protect with her fists if needs be.
She had been a member of Barbados’s Cadet Corps since the age of 11 and could more than look after herself – and detested anyone who would pick on others.
Brathwaite might not have ever struck up the confidence to pick up a cricket bat had it not been for Rihanna, who has since become one of the best-selling artists of all time and who Forbes cite as a billionaire musician.
Their friendship continued after school and Rihanna even booked front-row seats for Braithwaite and the West Indian Under-19 side, who he was the captain of at the time, during her tour of the United States in 2012.
Rihanna also turned up to watch the Windies during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019, making the most of her time in the United Kingdom by cheering on her country against Sri Lanka.
Whether she returns to watch Brathwaite in action this month remains to be seen, though having one of the most influential women in showbiz on your side can do no harm.
And to any Englishman considering sledging Brathwaite when he is at the crease – be warned.
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