PROVIDENCE, Guyana, CMC – Roston Chase said co-hosts West Indies could ill afford any slip-ups when they face Uganda in their second Group C match of the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup today under the lights at the Guyana National Stadium.
The 32-year-old batting all-rounder was able to help West Indies wriggle free from an awkward place with a crafty 42 not out off 27 balls to win their tournament opener against Papua New Guinea by five wickets with six balls remaining this past Sunday at the same venue.
Uganda, playing their first global tournament, may still be cock-a-hoop after beating the Papuans by three wickets in a low-scoring affair this past Wednesday at the Guyana National Stadium, and they have nothing to lose.
With the aroma of upsets floating in the air following the United States win against Pakistan on Thursday, and Canada pinching a win off Ireland on Friday, West Indies need to make themselves familiar with the contract law principle of “caveat emptor” (let the buyer beware).
Chase said there were areas for improvements from the tournament co-hosts, and his teammates need to be more mindful of the conditions in which they are playing, and there was no room for complacency in a group that also features Afghanistan and New Zealand.
“I just think that it’s a World Cup, so you can’t underestimate any team,” he told reporters during a pre-match news conference on the eve of the match.
“Every team is as strong as any other team – but I just think for us, it’s a case where we have to improve our dot-ball percentage, especially in the middle overs.” He added: “I mean, the pitch is a difficult one that we played on in the first game, so I think it’s a case where we just need to not panic too quickly – just try to stabilise the middle overs, because we have a lot of power in the back end to kind of make up for it.
“So it’s just a case where we just need to get a few singles more, and turns ones into twos, and stuff like that, and then just launch in the back end.”
Chase was known as a “crisis man” for West Indies in the past in the longer format, and he has been able to adapt his game to make him a capable if not explosive T20 player, a role he said he wears easily. “In my cricketing career, I’ve always been one to get some hard tasks, so I really cherish the opportunity and the experiences,” he said. “I mean, obviously, it’s good to go out there and get an easy job.
“But I mean, I think that your teammates and the coaches and especially the fans, I think they rate you more and they appreciate you more when you come through these hard times, so I am just always looking to do good even when the pressure is on. I know that once I come out on top, people love me.”
Lead West Indies selector Desmond Haynes and others have likened the role Chase played last Sunday, and he is expected to play in the line-up to that of fellow, former batting all-rounder Marlon Samuels in the West Indies squads that won the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016 – but the Barbadian all-rounder said he wants to chart his own course.
“There could only be one Marlon Samuels and one Roston Chase,” he said. “I mean, if people want to call it the Marlon Samuels role, I have no problem with that. He’s won two world titles playing that role and being the Man-of-the-Match in two of the finals.
“I have no problem with that tag, but I’m my own player. I mean, I don’t see it as his role. I see it as my own role. The coaches sat down and spoke to me about the role, and there was no mention of Marlon Samuels – but I don’t mind at all. Once I’m doing what is required for the team, and doing it well, I am happy with that.”
Squads:
WEST INDIES (from): Rovman Powell (captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
UGANDA (from): Brian Masaba (captain), Fred Achelam, Riazat Ali Shah, Bilal Hassun, Cosmas Kyewuta, Juma Miyaji, Roger Mukasa, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Nsubuga, Robinson Obuya, Ronak Patel, Alpesh Ramjani, Henry Ssenyondo, Simon Ssesazi, Kenneth Waiswa.
