Kemar Roach relishing role as senior bowler in team

For West Indian fast-bowler Kemar Roach, the tour to England has offered him an opportunity to not only build on his last series here in 2017, where he took 11 wickets and finished as West Indies leading wicket-taker, but also a chance to help the next generation of fast bowlers coming through the ranks.

‘‘I’m looking forward to our bowling line-up, Chemar Holder’s work ethic is great and O’Shane Thomas is the fastest bowler in the region, but all of the bowlers are fantastic’’ Roach said in a press conference earlier today. ‘‘I’m here to help them progress, we have fantastic bowling plans’’.

On a more personal note, Roach is currently 7 wickets away from taking 200 Test wickets but insisted that is not his priority, ‘‘It’s gonna be an honour to get in that bracket, but it’s more important to perform for the West Indies’’.

While West Indies will come into the series as the less-fancied side, Roach does feel the lack of England supporters could help: ‘‘the elimination of strong England support can play a part, more level playing field, but let’s see on July 8th’’.

Roach also suggested that there is a plan to counter the attack of Jofra Archer, somebody whom he has played with in his native Barbados ‘‘I always thought (Jofra) was talented and he’s shown that over the years’’. When pressed on these plans, Roach would not reveal, but it’s clear from his words that West Indies are here to defend the Wisden Trophy they memorably won last year in the Caribbean.