… urges Guyanese Romario Shepherd to make use of opportunities

By Clifton Ross

RODDY Estwick, West Indies assistant coach has thrown full support behind his team’s elite pack of fast-bowlers, hinting at possibly a far more aggressive approach by his speedsters ahead of the upcoming T20 series.

Estwick highlighted that the boys were highly driven to compete, given their intensity showing over the last few days of training in Christchurch.

However, with much focus revolving around the batting recently, Estwick, also the bowling coach, said during his recent virtual press conference, that he was rooting for his star-studded pack of pace bowlers.

“If you look over the last few years, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder were our leading wicket-takers and we expect them again to lead the attack. Obviously there is Alzzari Joseph from whom I have high expectations on this tour, because he’s been around quite a while now and I want him to realise that it’s time now he should really stand up and put in big performances,” said Estwick.

Not shying away from the potential workload the bowlers will face in the days to come, he stressed that the four-pronged pace attack will need to apply a ruthless approach against the New Zealand batsmen.

“Those 4 will be very important to us because as you know the pitches in New Zealand are not spin-friendly so the spinners will have to do a more containing role while the fast-bowlers will need to be more aggressive and be our chief wicket-takers”. he pointed out.

Despite being on their rivals’ home turf, Estwick remained firm on his players having to bring their A-Games regardless of venue or opposition.

“Wherever you play you’ve got to execute and assess the pitch as early as possible. The pitch will give you the information. If you assess it early you will know what line and length to bowl, then you work out which batsmen you’re bowling at and try to work out their strengths and weaknesses,” he continued,

“So it’s all about assessing things early and sticking to your game plans. I find that you’ve got to be very patient because the outfield is very quick and all your bad balls are being punished so it’s about being patient and aggressive.”

Although some big players like Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine along with an injured Dwayne Bravo will be missed, Estwick believed that with the players knowing their own roles, it will make things easier for the team when they go out in the middle. Also with the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and skipper Kieron Pollard in the mix, he’s more than confident of a good batting exhibition.

“I think T20 is about team effort because everyone has a role to play and we’re trying ro get everyone to understand his role then go out and execute. Obviously Hetmyer, Pollard and Pooran are very important but the bowlers as well play a very big role.

“They know they have to get their death-bowling and the middle overs right plus you’ve got to field well, so it’s all about a team effort,” stated the assistant coach.

Going back to Bravo, who picked up another injury, his second in succession, Guyanese Romario Shepherd was named as his replacement for the T20Is. But with Bravo already past his prime and the road to the World T20 Cup in sight; Estwick called on the likes of Shepherd and players like Kesrick Williams to make full use of these golden opportunities.

“For someone like a Romario Shepherd, it’s time for him to stake a claim before the next T20 world cup so it’s all about opportunities. So if Dwyane’s (Bravo) not here it gives people like Kesrick Williams a chance to grab an opportunity and give the selectors a bit of headache”. He ended.

Meanwhile, Windies continued their training and quarantine in Kiwi land as they further await more tests as part of their preparation for the series which bowls off on November 27.

Match Schedule:

November 27: 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland

November 29: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

November 30: 3rd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

December 3-7: 1st Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton

December 11-15: 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington