West Indies Test captain Roston Chase believes that leading by example is the key to earning the respect and belief of his teammates. Ahead of the first of two Tests against Pakistan, which begins this Saturday, Chase expressed a sense of relief regarding his recent performance, particularly his 194-run knock during an innings victory over Sri Lanka in late June. This innings marked his sixth Test century and his first since February 2019, breaking a 28-game drought.
Reflecting on his career, Chase noted that his batting average of 25.99 across 59 games has been hampered by a difficult 2025, where he averaged 13.81 over six Tests. However, he feels that his recent success has put both him and the team in a positive space. According to Chase, when a leader performs on the field, it fosters a deeper connection and willingness among teammates to play for their captain.
Regarding his physical condition, Chase is managing an injured right index finger, which sidelined him during the recent ODI series against New Zealand. While he is expected to captain the side against Pakistan, his ability to bowl remains uncertain. He plans to assess the injury on the ground, noting that while he still experiences some pain after bowling, he remains hopeful for improvement before the first ball is bowled.
The West Indies squad has been adjusted for the Pakistan series, dropping from 16 to 15 players. Alzarri Joseph declined selection, John Campbell is unavailable due to injury, and Anderson Phillip has been dropped. They are replaced by 25-year-old top-order batter Kirk McKenzie and 26-year-old left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop. McKenzie enters the squad after scoring 323 runs in six innings for Jamaica in the West Indies Championship, while Bishop joins as a first-time selection after taking 16 wickets for Barbados.
Chase encouraged the new and returning players to maintain the same mentality they displayed during the domestic four-day matches. He emphasized the importance of staying natural and avoiding excessive pressure, stating that the team is looking to rally around the new additions as they adjust to the international arena.
"So it's a good feeling for me. And, as I said, I'm in a good space right now and the team is in a good space right now. So I'm very glad for that performance."
"Well, we're going to see when I get to the ground tomorrow. Right now, it's not 100% obviously, but I bowled a few balls yesterday and I still have a bit of pain," he said. "But as I see it, I still have a bit of time before the first ball is bowled. So hopefully it can have an improvement by then."
