PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, CMC – Apart from the endless rain, Kemar Roach will have fond memories of the drawn West Indies Test series with Sri Lanka, after he was named Man-of-the-Series.
Roach was the most successful West Indies bowler in the series, when he collected 10 wickets at 24.50 runs apiece in the three-Test series, which ended in a 0-0 draw, following unrelenting rain over the last three weeks.
“I feel really good to come here to Sri Lanka and get the Man-of-the-Series award,” said Roach.
“I’m proud of my achievement. I put in the hard work and I always tried to challenge the techniques of the Sri Lankan batsmen.”
He added: “The pitches here are very tough for fast bowling, so I was really happy I came away with something to show.
“Their batsmen are very high class, and they know how to score runs, so fitness is also a key aspect.”
Roach continues to shoulder the responsibility of strike bowler in the absence of Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor. He was the leader of the fast bowling pack, with newcomer Andre Russell and fellow rookie Nelon Pascal accompanying him on this trip, but he was not daunted by the challenge.
“As the main fast bowler in the team, I knew I had a lot of work to do, so I adapted mentally, and physically to the job I was asked to do,” said Roach.
“Test cricket is very tough. I know once I stay fit and strong, I will always give myself a better chance of performing.”
He continued: “I still have a lot to learn. I will keep talking to the coach and the captain and try to improve my game as much as possible.
“I have not played cricket in all the Test-playing nations, so I’m still inexperienced when it comes to World cricket. I will continue to ask questions and try to learn as much as I can. I want to take my game to higher heights.”
Roach also hailed West Indies’ fortune of avoiding a Test series defeat to a side ranked higher on an overseas trip, something they have only achieved twice, since they drew 2-2 in the 1998-99 series in Australia.
“It was good that I could help the team to earn a draw in the series,” he said. “Coming to Sri Lanka and holding our own, and earning a draw is a massive achievement for us as a team.”
Roach has now taken 36 wickets at 28.25 each in 10 Tests.
