West Indies now have a new red ball skipper in form of Roston Chase. CWI made a stunning decision to relieve Kraigg Braithwaite from the captaincy duties. Roston Chase hasn’t played Test cricket since 2023 and his next assignment would be against Aussies beginning from 25th June in a 3 Test match series which would also commence ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle.
According to sources with knowledge, it is believed that Darren Sammy had a huge say in appointing Roston Chase as the skipper. Darren Sammy now has become an all-format head coach as earlier he was a white ball head coach. West Indies finished at 8th position in points table with winning 3 matches out of 13.
I loved cricket more than school- Roston Chase
Roston Chase was having an interaction with the media. Chase pointed out that his mother & father played a crucial role in his rise in cricket and wearing the maroon cap. The flamboyant all-rounder stated that playing cricket for West Indies has a huge legacy. Roston Chase comes from Barbados where the likes of Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd & Viv Richards come from.
“I was a student at the University of West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill at the time, and I would be taking a lot of leave to go and play like in the first-class competition. I wasn’t cemented in the Barbados team at that stage. So my mother encouraged me, but gave me an ultimatum that I will be given two years to make myself a permanent fixture in the Barbados team or I will have to go to school permanently,” said Roston Chase.
“I loved cricket more than school. I was always a good student, but cricket was my love. I worked hard, and I’m glad that she gave me that ultimatum because that really was the driving force for me to carry my cricket to the next level,” he stated,
“He (Roston Chase’s dad) would come and watch all my games, and talk to me about the game, [like] where I need to improve or I need to work on – the dos and don’ts. Captaining the West Indies is a great job to have, and there’s a legacy attached to it,” he said. “Playing for the West Indies means everything to me, so I’m ready for the responsibilities which come with the job,” he added,
Gigantic task for Roston Chase
West Indies cricket team is going through a transition. The Men in Maroon in next WTC cycle are playing 13 Test matches only just like 2023-25 cycle. West Indies needs to take a leaf out of Gabba Test match against Australia where they shook the world by defeating Australia.
We can see how South Africa has qualified for ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle final; they played only 12 matches but made every match count. Cricket West Indies would be hoping that Roston Chase brings back the old Caribbean dominance in red ball cricket like 80s. West Indies skipper though is vastly experienced with 49 Test matches having made his Test debut way back in 2016 against India.
Also Read: ICC WTC 2023-25: South Africa Announce A Strong Squad For Marquee Test Final