Roach still beaming after Test win
Published:Tuesday | August 17, 2021 | 12:09 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
West Indies pacer Kemar Roach describes the team’s one-wicket victory over Pakistan at Sabina Park on Sunday as the biggest one for him in Test cricket.
Roach was the hero in the game, albeit with the bat, as he scored a brilliant unbeaten 30 to help the Windies chase down the 168 runs needed. His heroics put the team 1-0 up in the two-match series.
“The way how we fought to get this win was very special, and it was good to see the guys sticking together, especially the support on the balcony when I was batting, it was amazing,” Roach said.
The right-hander shared in two critical partnerships which eventually got the regional side over the line. He put on 28 runs for the eighth wicket with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva, who made 13, then shared in the crucial 17-run unbeaten 10th-wicket partnership with last man Jayden Seales, who solidified the victory charge with perfection, despite getting only two runs.
“The communication in the middle was simple,” Roach said. “That really helped us to execute as well as we did. It was a good win, but that is now history, so it’s on to the next one.”
BATTLE OF ATTRITION
The keenly contested first Test was a battle of attrition, with the ball slightly dominating the bat, with only captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder getting 97 and 58, respectively, in the first innings and Jermaine Blackwood standing out in the second innings with a gritty 55.
With the second Test starting at the same venue on Friday, there is still some concern with the form of opener Kieron Powell who managed to get just four runs in the two innings, as well as Nkrumah Bonner and Kyle Mayers, who notched five runs total and a pair of ducks.
For Roach, the team’s overall performance merits another crack at Pakistan.
“I don’t think any changes need to be made,” he said. “Whatever changes happen, it’s up to the coach and captain. I believe it would be more tactical changes if any, but everyone can’t perform. The win was a team performance and we just have to self-reflect and get ourselves ready for the second Test.”