After losing the back-to-back T20I series against Afghanistan and India (however, Windies won a Test match against Afghanistan between these series), Kieron Pollard-led Windies team is looking to end this calendar year with a positive result in the three-match ODI series against the hosts India. The Caribbean captain also praised Roston Chase, who won the Player of the Series award in the last ODI series against Afghanistan in India for his top all-round performances.
On Sunday (15th November), India and Windies will play the first game of the three-match ODI series at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai). A day before the Chennai ODI, the Caribbean limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard spoke about his team.
Roston Chase has joined the Caribbean side for the ODI series in India. In the last ODI series against Afghanistan in this India tour (won by 3-0), which was Windies’ first ODI series victory since August 2014, Roston Chase won the Player of the Series award for scoring the second-most runs (145 runs) and also finishing as the leading wicket-taker (six wickets) in that series.
I think Roston Chase brings a good balance to our team – Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard has praised Roston Chase as he feels that Chase brings a good balance to the Caribbean side. Pollard believes that Chase is going to be an integral part for them going forward.
Kieron Pollard said about Roston Chase, “I think he brings a good balance to our team. He is a Test batsman as he has the Test hundred. I think he is a great asset for us. He can play any role and given that he can bowl as well. I think it gives an opportunity to play an extra bowler, all-rounder or a batter. He has been very valuable to us. We saw his talent and trying to exploit what he can give for himself. He is going to be an integral part for us going forward.”
The 27-year-old all-rounder plays Test and ODI cricket for the Windies cricket team. In 2019, the right-handed middle-order batsman has scored 279 runs in seven ODI innings (11 ODI matches) with an average of 46.50. Also, as the off-spinner, Chase has taken eight ODI wickets in this year.
The results will show, but we must have patience
Kieron Pollard is very positive with the present Caribbean side. He feels that the result will come definitely, but at first, they must have to show patience.
Pollard said, ”Sometimes, the results just don’t reflect. This is something we have spoken about and we are really excited with the bunch of players we have now. These are players who are putting in the hard work behind the scenes. The results will show, but we must have patience. They are actually doing what is required to succeed at this level.”
Windies have failed to beat the top ODI ranked side India in the last six ODIs (lost five matches and one had no result). However, Pollard doesn’t worry with this stat.