West Indies fast bowler, Kemar Roach, believes execution will be the determining factor to who wins the Wisden Trophy in the three-Test series against England next month.
The 31-year-old quick engaged the media via zoom virtual press conference Sunday to discuss the prospects of the series.
According to Roach when asked about the key to a series victory he reckoned, “I think it is just about executing our plans as best as we can.”
However, he was cognizant that the opposition can be difficult to cope with in home conditions.
“Obviously England at home is a very tough side so I think for us it is just go out there with our team plan, sticking to it and just adjusting where we see fit, but I think once we stick to our plans, go out there and be confident you know get stuck into the English conditions then we stand a great chance of taking that trophy back home,” the Barbados paceman stated.
Comparing the series win in the Caribbean to the prospects of playing in English conditions Roach opined, “It is a different condition. The ball does a bit more so I think we have to adjust our plans. I don’t think our mode of attack is going to change much. You saw them in the Caribbean and obviously it is pretty fresh in our minds. It is always going to be tough playing in England but if we get going we stand a great chance.”
With an explosive seam attack up their sleeve, the veteran of 56 Tests posited that the improvement in pitches in the Caribbean has provided a breeding ground for more fast bowlers.
“I think that goes because of the pitches in the Caribbean have improved, I think curators have done a fantastic job preparing bouncier and greener pitches, it breeds more fast bowlers, we always had a history of fast bowlers we just needed a pitch to bowl on so I think that is kudos to the curators back home,” he stated.
Head Coach Phil Simmons recently noted that the bowling department has been pulling the weight of the Test side in recent times but that has no added pressure on Roach who has 193 Test wickets under his belt.
“No I don’t see pressure at all,” he responded to Stabroek Sport while going on to explain, “I think we have fantastic bowling plans with Roddy Estwick the bowling coach, we communicate very well and we also plan very well, to have Shannon [Gabriel] back in the squad is also fantastic. Hopefully he can prove his fitness and work his way back into the Test side but I think with me, Jason [Holder], Shannon, Alzarri [Joseph], we have some other guys coming through as well that has been doing well in the domestic and regional tournaments back home so I’m looking forward to bowling and learning from these guys as I try to teach them as well.”
Roach, who sits at the 11th spot on the Test bowling rankings went added, “I am looking forward with our bowling line up. I think we have done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and I think if we continue to work hard then obviously train as hard as we have been training then I think some great things are ahead of us.”
West Indies will begin their first of three Tests on July 8 behind closed doors.
