'Our Bowlers are Coming' Warns Chase

Bajan all-rounder sounds rallying cry

West Indies experienced all-rounder, Roston Chase has cautioned English batsmen ahead of the highly anticipated, upcoming test series which bowls off on July 8th.

His strong words came at this morning’s virtual press conference where Chase had a lot to say about the Windies’ resurgent bowling attack and the planned approach to the series.

“England have a lot to think about in this series because our bowling attack is one of the better attacks in world cricket right now.

“The series will have a lot to do with the conditions that we are going to be playing in, if the pitch is one where we can attack then we will do that and reap rewards, otherwise we are capable of playing the patience game as well but it is something we will assess on the day,” he stated. 

In his last series against England, Chase did remarkably well to pick up career-best figures of 8-60 in the first test.

He recounted the memory, “It was a wonderful memory for me to think about, that was a great series and that match was the best test match I have played in with this current side. It is really good for us to have something to look back on and have that going into this series.” 

The series also saw Chase have a decent run with the bat in hand scoring 160 runs in 5 innings at an average of 40 including a determined 102 not out. 

Chase was satisfied with his performance in that series and specified a few key pointers for doing well against a ferocious English attack.

“I thought I let the bowlers come to me and bowl to my strengths well. The England attack is a world-class attack so you just have to be patient with them, you cannot look to dominate them and you have to try to wear them down and pick them off when they bowl to your strengths”.

The off-spinner is also relishing the elevated role he will have with the ball in the series in the event first-choice spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, who he has a good relationship with, does not get the nod. 

“I am ready to do whatever it takes for my team to be victorious or successful” he said.

“Last time we came to England, bowling is something I had to do quite a bit of so it is nothing new to me. I am looking forward to the challenge if it presents itself and we go with the four-seamers”.

However, bowling will not be the only thing required from Chase as he will need to pull his weight with the bat as well.

In the last three years the West Indies top order have collectively struggled with many averaging under 30. Chase falls into that bracket also but is adamant there is no added pressure on him to perform given the absences of Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo who declared their unavailability for selection due to safety reasons. 

Chase said, “I would not say there is added pressure on me but you always think about doing well, so myself along with the other all-rounders in the team will always be looking to do well and it is just for us to go out there and do what we need to do on the field”.

Chase who has played in 32 tests and has scored 1695 runs did acknowledge the struggles of the West Indies top order in recent test matches but is backing the batting department to rectify the struggles of the past.

“It is fair to say we have not been having the best time as a top-order but some of the guys have played more than 30 tests so we have the experience and the know-how of getting runs at this level and we are ever-improving. I think it is just for us to get that confidence and belief in ourselves and I think we will be fine.

Chase added, “We have immense ability and we can perform at this level; we just need to back our ability, have the right mindset, and go out there and do it”.

The 28-year-old has set various targets in the series, for himself, including scoring a hundred in English conditions.

“Once you do well in England, your stock goes up as a cricketer on the international scene so I am always looking forward to doing well in England to increase my rankings in world cricket.

He added, “I have always wanted to score a century in England. I have scored one against them in the Caribbean but I would love to get one in England. When you score hundreds in England as a batsman, people take you more seriously and rate you more highly, I want to score as many runs as possible in the series, but I will not be happy unless I have at least one century”.

The West Indies will seek to defend their trophy in the three-match series but it will be no easy task with the likes of Jofra Archer, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad from a bowling point of view along with Ben Stokes, Joe Root and a replenished England unit packed with young talent chomping at the bits. 

The all-rounder has put the key to winning the series as registering good first-innings totals in each innings in order to support the bowling unit.  

However, Chase who has scored five resilient test hundreds to date will need to be on top of his game if the West Indies are going to sucessfully prevent a rampant England from outfoxing a young, up-and-coming West Indies side on home soil