HAMILTON, New Zealand – West Indies head coach Daren Sammy strongly believes that the presence of veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach in next month’s Test series against New Zealand will make them competitive and significantly bolster their chances of upsetting the hosts.
Roach’s inclusion in the 15-member squad for the three-match Test series was widely expected, with the regional team faced with a slew of injuries to fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Ramon Simmonds and Jediah Blades.
His selection was imminent once he was chosen to take part in a two-week High-Performance preparation camp earlier this month hosted by Cricket West Indies (CWI), and he is expected to lead the bowling attack with Jayden Seales.
The 37-year-old Barbadian’s career seemed to be at an end after he was left out of the West Indies squad for the three-match home Test series against Australia back in July and then for the two-match Test series against India in October.
He last featured for the Windies in their drawn Test series against Pakistan in January.
However, speaking during a virtual press conference hosted by CWI on Thursday, Sammy said Roach’s quality and experience would give West Indies a chance against the fifth ranked Kiwis.
Of the 284 Test wickets taken by Roach, which makes him the fifth-highest wicket taker for the West Indies in that format, 36 have come against New Zealand.
He has only taken more Test wickets against England (61) and Bangladesh (53).
“Kemar has done really well against New Zealand. I’m really excited because when you miss out on two of your leading guys over the last year and you could rely on somebody of the experience of Kemar, in conditions that will be favourable to him with his experience, it gives you the hope that we can compete, we can be effective and we can push through for victories and I can’t wait.
“I expect to see a motivated Kemar Roach, but more importantly, a disciplined Kemar Roach, because it will take a lot of discipline from not only Kemar, but from our batters, from our bowlers, it will take a lot of discipline to stick to the plans and the processes that we have to implement in order to be successful here in New Zealand,” Sammy said.
With Alzarri and Shamar expected to return to action in early next year, Sammy said it did not mean Roach would be sidelined again.
In fact, he explained that once Roach performed well in New Zealand, it would give selectors a major headache with Test series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh looming in 2026.
“I really wish he comes here and puts on a show and then afterwards he comes and says, ‘Coach I should have been here’. I would love that actually.
“It would give me a great place to be…If we have a performing [Johann] Layne, a performing Anderson [Phillip] and a performing Kemar and then we have the services of Alzarri and Shamar back in the squad then it puts West Indies fast bowling back in a great position to select from,” Sammy said.
CMC
