CHANDIGARH, India, CMC – West Indies speedster Kemar Roach says his outstanding bowling at the World Cup has come as a result of hard work and adjusting to the slower subcontinent pitches.
The 22-year-old rookie, in his first-ever World Cup, has led the Windies attack with 10 wickets from three matches as the Caribbean side has picked up two impressive wins in their campaign.
“Bowling in the subcontinent conditions is not easy for fast bowlers but I knew that before I came here,” Roach said. “I did well in the Test series in Sri Lanka last year and that gave me a good idea of what to expect on the pitches in the World Cup. The atmosphere here is different as well, sometimes it can be a bit hot and sometimes it can get a bit cool. “But we have a basic plan which is to bowl straight. When you bowl straight and the batsman misses you hit.”
Roach claimed a single wicket in the Windies’ seven-wicket loss to South Africa in Delhi before snatching career-best figures of six for 27 against the Netherlands in a massive 215-run win, where he also captured a hat-trick.
He returned to grab three for 19 against Bangladesh to help rout them for a record low 58 last Friday, as West Indies clinched a nine-wicket victory.
“I am working hard. The harder you work, more the rewards. I am confident in myself,” Roach explained.
“You have got to prepare for the hard work, to bowl longer spell, which needs more concentration.”
West Indies will chase their third win on Friday when they face Ireland in Mohali.
