The West Indies Cricket Board has made a surprising move by appointing Roston Chase as the new Test captain. Chase hasn’t played a Test match in over 800 days, having last appeared in March 2023 against South Africa.
Chase takes over from Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been at the helm for nearly eight years. Brathwaite’s tenure was marked by underwhelming results, with the team winning just 10 out of 39 Tests under his leadership. His batting form also dipped significantly, with 846 runs from 17 Tests since 2023.
The selection process for the new captain was rigorous. Six candidates were interviewed, and their leadership skills were put to the test. New head coach Darren Sammy praised Chase for his potential to lead the team forward.
Chase’s Qualifications
Chase is an all-rounder with impressive credentials. In 49 Test matches, he has scored 2,265 runs and taken 85 wickets. His experience and skills make him a strong contender to guide the West Indies Test team.
The timing of this change is interesting, given the current state of Test cricket. With players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring, and others potentially missing the IPL 2025 playoffs due to the World Test Championship Final, the cricket landscape is shifting.
The West Indies Cricket Board’s decision to appoint Chase is a bold one. It’s now up to him to prove that he has what it takes to lead the team to success.