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By Neto Baptiste
Legendary West Indies batsman and former captain, Sir Vivian Richards, has described newly appointed Test captain Roston Chase as a “smart leader” and believes that once given a fair opportunity he could bring stability to the struggling squad.
“I guess he would be the right choice at this point. I believe he is a much better player in that particular format and he would have had the experience of playing before and, with what’s presently there, I don’t think it’s a bad choice. I think he is a smart cricketer and he might bring something totally different, and,with the results he [has had], I don’t think a lot of people expected him — especially with some of the tournaments he [has] played in — to be successful and he would have done so. So he brings some sort of stability in terms of what we know he can do when he performs,” he said.
Cricket West Indies (CWI), on May 16, appointed the Barbados national as captain of the senior men’s Test team following weeks of speculation as to who would take up the role left vacant following the resignation of Kraigg Brathwaite in March. Chase’s last Test was against South Africa in March, 2023.
Sir Viv, who amassed 8,540 runs from 121 Tests, added that it must however be a complete team effort.
“It’s nice to know you’d want some commitment from the guys but there are a lot of players there who are playing for their careers and by giving your all in terms of what you are capable of, that’s a good support for the captain and so I am hoping that’s the case. Everyone should be looking to perform so if you have everyone performing on the same level and being successful then it can only make the team better so they have that obligation to themselves personally,” he said.
According to a CWI release, six players were a part of the screening process from which Captain Chase and Vice Captain Jomel Warrican were selected for the upcoming home series against Australia in June. The CWI Board unanimously approved the appointments.
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