ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – In-form batsman Roston Chase says West Indies will be looking to cash in on the seemingly run-friendly Windsor Park track as they look to make a positive response to Pakistan, on Friday’s day three of the decisive third Test here.
On Thursday, Pakistan rattled up 376 all out in their first innings and at the close, West Indies were 14 without loss – still 362 runs adrift of their target.
“As we saw from the Pakistan innings, the track seems like a good one to bat on,” Chase told reporters following the day’s play.
“So hopefully the guys will back their preparation and believe in themselves and hopefully we can overcome this target or even get close to it, and put ourselves in a good position in this Test match.”
Rookie Chase is one of the keys to the Windies young batting line-up and much will be expected of the right-hander as the Caribbean side seek to put pressure back on the Pakistanis.
The Barbadian carved out his second Test hundred last week at Kensington Oval to help West Indies pull off a 106-run win in the second Test and level the three-match series, and he said he was focused on extending that form.
“For any batsman going there, the century is always the great goal that you’re looking for but … I [am prepared] do what is required for me for the team – it maybe a hundred, a fifty, a quick fifty or just batting time,” Chase noted.
“Whatever the team needs from me I’ll be looking forward to doing for the team.”
Chase was at the forefront of the West Indies attack on Thursday, taking four for 103 as the home side toiled before dismissing Pakistan late in the final session.
The hosts missed a couple of chances as opener Azhar Ali top-scored with 127, Misbah-ul-Haq struck 59 and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed chipped in with 51, to drive the innings.
Chase said at no point were West Indies despondent as they knew that breakthroughs were always within their grasps.
“The guys are in good spirits now. It is cricket so there will be catches dropped but the guys never let that get us down, we just kept on fighting and fighting because those quick wickets brought us back into game,” he explained.
“We knew that at any time that could have happened so we just kept pegging away at the Pakistan guys.”
He added: “I’m here for more so my batting but bowling long is something kind of new for me so I’ve just been looking forward to that challenge every day as I come out here. I’m learning on the job as well and I think I am improving my bowling skills.”
