Kemar Roach had an awful last 18 months as far as his international career was concerned. A severe shoulder injury and a subsequent poor form saw him losing his place to the national team after the Test series in Australia in January 2016.
And such was the severity of the injury that he even had doubts that he would ever return to his best in Test cricket. However, the speedster was given a lifeline when he was recalled for the ongoing Test series in England, and he has fully justified his selection with some brilliant bowling.
His efforts were not rewarded in the first two Tests as managed just 6 wickets despite bowling brilliantly but he finally reaped the reward on Friday (September 8) when his 5-wicket haul on day 3 of the third Test at Lord’s helped his side to claw its way back into the game after being bundled out for a paltry 123.
Speaking after the day’s play, Roach admitted that he was apprehensive about his return to international cricket after breaking his shoulder before stating that he was proud of his brilliant comeback.
“I had some doubts,” Roach said after play on Friday (September 8). “It was a pretty tough time, breaking your shoulder is not easy and a lot of hard rehab got me back here. I’m proud of myself to come back and still perform for the West Indies.”
Roach’s 5-wicket haul helped the tourists to bowl the hosts out for 193. In doing so, Roach also became the sixth West Indies player to earn a place on the Lord’s honours board for overseas bowlers.
The pacer, who made his debut in 2009, is the most experienced player in the current team, having played 39 Tests. He said that his experience of playing in England had helped him to do well. Roach had played in West Indies’ previous tour of England, in 2012 and had also represented Worcestershire in the County Championship.
“I’ve learnt my art a little bit more, I’m more experienced,” he said. “I played for Worcestershire a few years ago. It was a good experience. I’ve been talking to past players like Corey Collymore, guys that have played here. Coming here I was well prepared, knowing how to bowl on certain pitches and the length that would be crucial.”
Speaking about his name being on the honours board, he said:“It means a lot. A lot of players went before me – Courtney Walsh, Malcolm Marshall – and to be a part of that is an amazing feeling. A lot of players have played here and to be a part of that board, its history, is special for me.”
The right-arm pacer further said that the visitors would be trying their best in the remainder of the game. Windies finished the day on 93 for 3 with the overall lead extended to only 22.
“We are here to fight,” he said. “We had it in our minds to come here and win. We will definitely be trying to do that. There are things we need to brush up on but all in all, a young side coming to England, they’ve put up a hell of a fight and we want to keep fighting in the second innings.”
He also admitted that the win in Headingley where his team chased down 322 to level the series after losing the series-opener by an innings and 209 runs was a big boost.
“It’s a big confidence boost,” admitted Roach. “After the first Test was a tough time being thrashed like that but to come back so strong, beating England a home for the first time in 17 years, it’s an amazing feeling to be part of history and the guys are very confident. We definitely hope to do it again in this Test match.”