Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named all-rounder Roston Chase as the captain of the West Indies Test team. Chase’s first match as captain will also be his 50th. The 33-year-old has last played a Test match more than two and a half years ago against South Africa in Johannesburg. The West Indies has played 13 Tests in due course.
“This selection process is one of the most comprehensive and forward-thinking we have undertaken,” CWI president, Kishore Shallow, said. “I am deeply impressed by the professionalism, objectivity, and strategic thinking that shaped the final decision. It sets a new benchmark for leadership appointments in West Indies cricket.”
West Indies head coach, Daren Sammy, said: “I fully endorse this appointment. Our new captain has earned the respect of his peers, understands the responsibility that comes with the role, and has shown the leadership qualities we need to take this team forward. I urge fans across the region to rally behind him–we’re building something special.”
In addition to Chase, the West Indies have also named Jomel Warrican.
It had taken Roddy Estwick all of one ball and one shot from the gangly and reserved youngster some 15 years ago to realize that he has seen a “special talent”. It was when Chase was playing an under-11 final for Wesley Hall Primary School and the man who would go on to become his cricketing mentor for the rest of his life just happened to be in attendance.
“I saw him play a square drive and I told the guy accompanying me ‘I’ve seen enough, this is a special talent’. I decided then and there to get him to the Combermere School,” Estwick recalls. Combermere, of course, not only possessed a rich legacy of cricketing talent but was also at that time home to a number of future West Indian cricketers,” Estwick told .
“Amazingly, four of the boys from that batch are playing this Test. There’s Roston, Kraigg Brathwaite, (Jomel) Worrican and Shane Dowrich. But Roston always had that steely determination about him. He was always a leader from the first day he walked in,” Estwick adds.
