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Page last updated at 09:45 GMT, Friday, 13 August 2010 10:45 UK

Dwayne Bravo aims to be Essex cameo king

Friends Provident t20 Finals Day, The Rose Bowl:
First semi-final: Hampshire v Essex (1130 BST)
Second semi-final: Nottinghamshire v Somerset (1500 BST)
Final: Winner, match 1 v Winner, match 2 (1915 BST)
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Essex, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Bristol and online ; live scorecards on BBC Sport website, Ceefax and mobiles; also live on Sky Sports 1

Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo hopes his short Essex stint is a memorable one

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is not concerned about being Essex's outsider at the Friends Provident t20 finals day on Saturday.

The semi-final clash with Hampshire at The Rose Bowl will be the 26-year-old's first match for the club.

If they lose, it will be his last Essex appearance too.

But he told BBC Essex: "There are familiar faces around, I've had a good welcome. This is a dangerous team and I'm really happy to be part of it."

He continued: "If I haven't played against most of the guys in international cricket, I've played against them in county cricket.

"I played for Kent in 2006 when Matthew Walker was one of my team-mates.

"I also know Ravi Bopara and Alastair Cook from international cricket."

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The Trinidadian's familiarity with colleagues may be under question, but his acquaintance with the 20-over form of the game is less deniable.

In 22 international Twenty20 appearances he has racked up 344 runs and taken 19 wickets, while for Kent, Victoria, Mumbai Indians and Trinidad and Tobago he has claimed 69 scalps and swiped his way to 1,203 runs in 73 matches.

"I think being an all-rounder, it suits my style of play," he added.

"I'm happy that I'm recognised by a lot of people and a lot of teams from around the world.

"I'm just going to continue to do my best for every team that I play for and make sure we come out successful."

One man Essex fans will be more accustomed to is spinner Danish Kaneria who, along with Bravo, fills head coach Paul Grayson's two overseas player positions for finals day.

The 29-year-old could be feeling sorry for himself.

He is only playing at The Rose Bowl because Pakistan decided they no longer wanted him around for the Test series against England after just one match.

Danish Kaneria
Kaneria has taken 74 career wickets in Twenty20 cricket

"It's a bad thing I'm not with the Pakistan squad, they were a bit harsh with me," he said.

"But I'm delighted to be back with Essex, which is my second home.

"Playing with the boys is wonderful, the staff are wonderful."

The leg-break bowler is an unexpected and destructive boost to Essex. He has removed 16 batsmen in 10 Twenty20 games this season alone.

A sparkling performance from the Pakistani could see his side lift the trophy for the first time.

"I've been bowling quite well and I have my fingers crossed we can do it at The Rose Bowl," he added.

"We should be confident, but over confidence can let you down.

"We should be positive, confident and try to win the game from ball one."



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see also
Hampshire eye maiden T20 success
13 Aug 10 |  Hampshire
No fear for Notts at T20 - Nannes
12 Aug 10 |  Nottinghamshire
Pollard looking to make T20 mark
13 Aug 10 |  Somerset
Essex get clearance for Kaneria
12 Aug 10 |  Essex
Chambers out of Essex FP t20 semi
10 Aug 10 |  Essex
England four available for finals
09 Aug 10 |  Cricket
Essex sign Bravo for t20 finals
28 Jul 10 |  Essex
Essex win thriller to reach semis
27 Jul 10 |  Counties


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