BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Buoyed by healthy returns in the two-Test series against minnows Bangladesh, West Indies pacer Kemar Roach is chomping at the bit to face the mighty Australians Down Under.
The 21-year-old pace ace snatched 13 wickets against the Tigers but said he would not be overawed bowling against Australia’s batting juggernaut.
“I’m up for it (the challenge). I’ve always wanted to bowl against those guys,” said Roach, rated the fastest bowler at September’s ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. “Most of them were number one in the world or had been there before. It’s going to be a good experience and I just want to put my best foot forward.
“I’m not intimated by anyone. As a bowler, it only takes one ball to get someone out.”
Roach made his Test debut against Bangladesh earlier this year, after the contracts dispute forced regional selectors to hastily choose a second string side.
The Barbadian speedster shone in the opening Test in Kingstown, finishing with a six-wicket match haul and then claimed six for 48 in the first innings of the second Test in St George’s, to further emphasise his potential.
He was one of four players from the makeshift squad to make the full strength 15-man squad for the three-Test tour and said he intended to give the series his all once selected.
“My goals are to go down there, be as consistent as possible and try to get the most wickets in the series, put my best foot forward and win. That’s the main thing,” Roach indicated.
“I’ve taken that Test cricket is a hard game, it’s hard cricket to play. You have to be very consistent, work hard and it’s not an easy walk-over. You have to think more than your ability and once you get over that you should be ok.”
Roach also said he had put in his preparation for what would be a tough series.
“I have been working on my stamina, running longer and that’s mainly it because I’m not a fan of the gym but I do some strength work on parts of my body to keep me strong,” he noted.
Roach is one of four quick bowlers selected for the tour, with Jerome Taylor, Ravi Rampaul and Gavin Tonge also in the squad.
