NEW DELHI: West Indies captain Roston Chase said his team's 90-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test was a tribute to legendary all-rounder Garry Sobers, with the players determined to honour the cricket great. Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the game's history, passed away on July 17 at the age of 89. Tuesday marked what would have been his 90th birthday.
Following West Indies' victory at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Chase revealed that the team had spoken about Sobers before the match.
"We wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match. I hope he is smiling down on us."
Chase also thanked the fans who turned up to support the home side.
"I also want to thank the Trinidad crowd for coming out and supporting us. It was not a big crowd, but it gave us enough energy and support to go out there and perform," Chase said.
The win handed West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
West Indies entered the Pakistan series after a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, and Chase said the team's recent performances were the result of months of hard work.
"I think these two teams that we've played, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they're closer to us in the rankings. I don't want to say they're teams we should beat, but I think it's a more even contest between us."
He further said, "The guys are confident and over the last few months we've been putting in some extra hard work. We had a camp as well before the Sri Lanka series and I think that really helped us become closer as a unit and also work on our weaknesses and improve our strengths as well. So I think that this is the upliftment of that practice and camp."
Fast bowlers dominated throughout the match at Tarouba, with all 40 wickets falling to seam bowling.
Justin Greaves starred with 5/27 in Pakistan's first innings, while Jayden Seales claimed 5/20 in the second innings. Together, they picked up 13 wickets.
Greaves also produced the rare achievement of bowling five successive wicket maidens in Pakistan's first innings.
Speaking about the conditions, Chase said, "I think it just goes to show that it was more friendly towards the seamers. The Pakistani spinner (Ali Usman) bowled a number of overs (13 in the first innings), he didn't get a wicket. (Jomel) Warrican bowled a few (18 across two innings), didn't get a wicket and didn't look too threatening as well. The (fast bowlers) really put the ball in the right areas and it paid off."
#west
Following West Indies' victory at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Chase revealed that the team had spoken about Sobers before the match.
"We wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match. I hope he is smiling down on us."
Chase also thanked the fans who turned up to support the home side.
"I also want to thank the Trinidad crowd for coming out and supporting us. It was not a big crowd, but it gave us enough energy and support to go out there and perform," Chase said.
The win handed West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
West Indies entered the Pakistan series after a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, and Chase said the team's recent performances were the result of months of hard work.
"I think these two teams that we've played, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they're closer to us in the rankings. I don't want to say they're teams we should beat, but I think it's a more even contest between us."
He further said, "The guys are confident and over the last few months we've been putting in some extra hard work. We had a camp as well before the Sri Lanka series and I think that really helped us become closer as a unit and also work on our weaknesses and improve our strengths as well. So I think that this is the upliftment of that practice and camp."
Fast bowlers dominated throughout the match at Tarouba, with all 40 wickets falling to seam bowling.
Justin Greaves starred with 5/27 in Pakistan's first innings, while Jayden Seales claimed 5/20 in the second innings. Together, they picked up 13 wickets.
Greaves also produced the rare achievement of bowling five successive wicket maidens in Pakistan's first innings.
Speaking about the conditions, Chase said, "I think it just goes to show that it was more friendly towards the seamers. The Pakistani spinner (Ali Usman) bowled a number of overs (13 in the first innings), he didn't get a wicket. (Jomel) Warrican bowled a few (18 across two innings), didn't get a wicket and didn't look too threatening as well. The (fast bowlers) really put the ball in the right areas and it paid off."
#west
3 months ago
