Roston Chase has played as much of a part as any of his team-mates in West Indies’ recent improvements as a Test side. He has scored five hundreds since his debut in 2016, including a six-hour rearguard against India in his second Test, and another in his last encounter with England. Two Tests before that, his eight-wicket haul condemned England to defeat in Barbados and set Jason Holder’s side on their way to reclaiming the Wisden Trophy.
Chase also did his bit when West Indies won at Headingley in 2017, although that was an underwhelming tour generally as he averaged 13.33 with the bat. Perhaps that is why he has set his sights on scoring “at least one century” this time around. “Once you do well in England, I think your stock as a cricketer goes up on the international scene,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to score a century in England. I scored a century against England in the Caribbean, but I would love to get one in England. As I said, when you score hundreds in England, I think, as a batsman people take you more serious and rate you a bit higher. I’m looking to have a good series with the bat, score as many runs as possible. I will not be happy if I don’t get at least one century.”
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The onus on Chase to provide a sturdy bulwark at No. 5 or 6 has only increased in the absence of Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, who batted either side of him against England during the 2018-19 series. Certainly runs in the forthcoming three-match series would bolster Chase’s overall record, which has seen him enjoy the majority of his success at home, with only one century – in India in 2018 – and an average of 24.75 in away Tests.
While Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope led the way in Leeds three years ago, and both Chase and Jermaine Blackwood have experience of English conditions, the ability of a reshaped West Indies batting line-up to put up fighting totals will likely go a long way to determining their chances of success.
“It’s fair to say that we haven’t had the best time as a top order,” Chase said. “But I think some of the guys have played 30 or more Test matches, so the guys are experienced and know how to get runs at that level – so we are ever improving. It’s just for us to get that confidence and belief back in our batting in the top order and I think that will be fine because the guys know they have the ability.”
While Chase was England’s destroyer with the ball at the Kensington Oval 18 months ago – his second-innings 8 for 60 perhaps aided by some “complacent” batting – he is happy to stand in the not inconsiderable shadow of Rakheem Cornwall when it comes to spin-bowling duties on tour. Depending on whether West Indies choose to deploy a four-man pace attack or not, Chase will fill in as required and aim to keep England on their toes.
“Yeah, he’s definitely the No. 1 spinner, but I have no problem with that,” Chase said of Cornwall, who made his Test debut last year. “I’m always willing to do whatever it takes for the team, if I have to back him up or if I have to be the main spinner, it doesn’t really matter to me. Once we’re going in the right direction and winning games and series, that’s all that really matters to me. Doesn’t matter if I’m No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3, just want to go out there and do well for the country and for myself.
“I’m comfortable with my role, batting in the middle order and bowling some overs when need be. The unit it a very close unit, all the guys are friends, we came up playing cricket from youth cricket days. We’re comfortable and just like to enjoy our company and enjoy the cricket and look to be successful.
“In the first game [in Barbados last year], my lines and lengths and variation were spot on. And I guess the England batsmen – I wouldn’t want to say they underestimated me, but they were a bit complacent playing me. As the series went on they got a bit tighter. Having lost that first game, I thought they really tried to knuckle down and cope with my bowling and they did a good job.”
One significant change from the previous meetings between these two sides is the addition of Jofra Archer to England’s bowling ranks. Like several of West Indies’ strong Bajan contingent, Chase came up against Archer during the young quick’s formative years – but their most-recent meeting came when the two appeared on opposing sides in the Sussex Premier League in 2015.
“I do remember the game we played against Jofra,” Chase said. “This was before he even played for Sussex or anything like that. He actually got five wickets, he got me out as well. He pulled up after he got the five wickets and batting became a lot easier for us.
“He was always a good talent but he wasn’t as rapid as he is now.”