We have to do better - Roach expects improved showing from WI Test team against Bangladesh
Published:Wednesday | January 27, 2021 | 4:20 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach says he expects the Test side to put up a better fight against Bangladesh when the two teams meet in the two-match series, which bowls off on February 3 in Chattogram.
Roach was quick to point out that the inexperience of the one-day side contributed to them being swept three-nil against the hosts; however, he is expecting a more competitive showdown in the longer format in a few days.
“For the Test team, the guys have been here before and we know what to expect, so I expect the guys to go out there and give a better showing and put up a better fight,” said Roach.
The Barbadian pacer said he knows his work, along with fellow pacers Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph, is cut out on the spin-friendly Chattogram wicket; however, he says the trio are keen to lead from the front to give the team the impetus needed to secure a positive result.
HARD WORK
“It is hard work for fast bowlers out here,” Roach said. “The pitches aren’t conducive to speed or any seam movement. It is all about being consistent and putting the ball in the right areas. It is a pretty straight length to challenge the batsmen on the front foot. That’s mainly what your best chances are to succeed in Bangladesh.”
Roach added that the Test side has been in training for close to three weeks and a lot of work has been done, especially from the batters, behind the scenes to counter the spin barrage that is expected.
Batting coach Monti Desai has been implementing a lot of drills to help the batsmen get their stride in and use their feet more, along with perfecting the sweep shot to counter the spin and guile expected from Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan, once passed fit.
“The batsmen have been doing a lot of work with regard to spin. They have been listening and asking questions about how to improve and I am pretty happy with what I am seeing. It’s just about waiting to see how they perform on the field and I am sure they will do well,” Roach said.
The last time the regional side tasted victory in Bangladesh was the 2012-2013 series, which was won 2-0 by Darren Sammy and his men.
Roach, who was a member of that squad, knows all too well what it is going to take this time around to pull off another win on Bangladeshi soil.
“(We) just (have to) be positive. Coming to Bangladesh is always a tough tour but we have to try and execute our plans as best as we can. We understand what we need to do, which is to put a good score on the board and take 20 wickets in order to win a Test match,” added Roach.
The West Indies Test side will get their first run out in a competitive environment, when they face a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in a three-day warm-up game starting on Friday.