Sammy confident of skipper Chase being fit for West Indies' first Test against Pakistan
Bridgetown, July 22
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy is confident that Test captain Roston Chase will recover in time from a finger injury to lead the side in the opening Test against Pakistan, starting on July 25.
Chase was forced to sit out the recently concluded three-match ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining an injury to his right index finger. Despite some lingering swelling, Sammy expressed optimism about the all-rounder's availability for the series opener.
"I spoke to Roston earlier today. He came to do his workout. Still a little bit puffy. But Roston is a fighter. I know he's not going to want to miss any Test cricket. I'm pretty sure Dr Byam (team physio Denis Byam) has a way of keeping guys on the park, so I'm pretty sure Roston will be ready for the first Test," Sammy told reporters at the conclusion of the ODI series.
The upcoming two-match Test series forms an integral part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Both teams will be desperate to turn their red-ball fortunes around, as West Indies currently occupy the eighth spot in the nine-team WTC standings, while Pakistan sit at the bottom of the table.
The home side will also look to dust off the disappointment of their recent 3-2 ODI series defeat against New Zealand as they transition back into the longest format of the game at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, which is set to host its first-ever international Test match.
It is followed by the second Test to be played from August 2-6 at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago. With vital WTC points on the line, the presence of Chase, both as a primary spin-bowling all-rounder and captain, will be crucial to West Indies' chances to step up in the WTC standings.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian fan, I can't help but compare—our bench strength is so deep that injuries rarely hurt us. But for West Indies, losing Chase would be a big blow. He's their main spinner and captain. Sammy's confidence is good, but fitness is key! 🏏
Both teams struggling in WTC—West Indies at 8th and Pakistan at 9th! 😂 This series is like a wooden spoon battle. But credit to Sammy for backing his captain. Chase is decent, but he's no match for our spinners like Ashwin or Jadeja.
Interesting how the West Indies are trying to rebuild. From an outsider's perspective, it's nice to see Sammy's leadership style—supportive but realistic. Hope Chase recovers fully; playing with a finger injury could make things worse.
It's sad to see the decline of West Indies cricket. Remember when they dominated the world? Now they're at the bottom of WTC and hoping a swollen finger doesn't ruin their plans. Sammy is doing his best with limited resources. Respect. 👏
As a cricket fan from the US, I'm just happy to see Test cricket getting attention. The Brian Lara Academy hosting its first Test is a big deal! Chase being fit would be great for the series—fingers crossed 🤞. Though I wonder if Sammy is being a bit too optimistic.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.