… Spinners have big roles in Test series

By Clifton Ross

WEST Indies speedster and bowling attack leader, Kemar Roach, wants some ferocity and edge from his pacers when the Test series begins; backing their spinners as possible secret weapons against hosts Bangladesh. The Barbados speedster told the media yesterday that barring the missing big name players who will miss the tour due to COVID-19 concerns, he feels the current unit capable of bringing the heat to the home side when the Test series commences. “We have a job to do, me and Sharon (Gabriel) and Alzarri (Joseph) as well. The spinners will obviously do the bulk of the work but I think once we do what we are best at, which is taking wickets, it will help the team and the bowling unit,”. said Roach. West Indies will want to have a good look at the current squad mixed with a few veterans and a number of new, but focussed and in-form players like Joshua DaSilva and others. Roach believed that this is the ideal opportunity to test the various new weapons against a formidable opponent.

“If we can do that (take wickets), we can obviously execute our plans better. We have been planning well and having conversations with the bowling coach so we know what we want to do”.
The pacer continued, “It’s about obviously planning well as I said, and know what you want to do as a group and as a team. We are doing good practice and have the confidence and hopefully we can take that into the practice matches and into the Test series. Things are in motion and we’re looking forward to the series”. Roach stated.
This situation is similar to that of way back in 2009 when Roach made his surprise debut against the same Tigers, following a pay dispute with the regular squad members and the-then WICB.
As a result, the Caribbean Boys fielded a ‘second-string team’ with Roach being among those players to grab that opportunity and turn heads during the series, with his first 5-for coming in his second international Test match.

Now as one of the top pacers in international cricket and the current leader of the Windies bowling attack, especially in Tests, a matured Roach wants to continue his progression and wants the incoming group of players to make the most of the opportunity and carve out a career for themselves, similar to what he had done.
“Yeah, that’s where it started, obviously back home. I have played against them a couple of times, both ODIs and Tests. There has always been a good fight and they are a mentally tough team. They try very hard to do the right thing but it’s all about us, going there as a team and just putting our best foot forward,”. Roach said.
“We have to focus on what we do, execute our plans and play Test cricket as hard as we can. I think I was pretty inexperienced and I think the guys handled pressure pretty well. Now we are experienced, most of us. And it’s the second time we are here in recent times,” he concluded.