BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS the West Indies players gear-up for battle beginning next week against their New Zealand counterparts, the selectors have elevated Nicholas Poor and Roston Chase to positions of Vice Captain for the T20 and Test matches respectively.
Commenting on the announcement, Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector, described Chase as a very experienced player who would offer support to the current leadership of the side.
All-rounder Chase, 28, has so far played 35 Test matches, scoring five centuries and collecting three five-wicket hauls with his off-spinners; while wicket-keeper/batsman Pooran, 25, is among the leading white-ball players with two half-centuries in 19 T20I innings and also averaging close to 50 in One Day Internationals.
“Roston Chase has been appointed vice-captain of the West Indies Test Team for this tour of New Zealand. He is an experienced player who is tactically aware and very purposeful in his approach to the game. He is readily willing to offer advice and discuss ideas with his fellow players and the coaches and I think will offer good leadership support to captain Jason Holder, both on and off the field. Nicholas Pooran continues in the role of vice-captain of the T20 team for the tour of New Zealand. He was first named vice-captain for this format for the series against Afghanistan in 2019,” Harper told CWI media.
Commenting on the announcement, Chase said: “I have been making strides in Test cricket since my debut back in 2016 and I see this new role as vice-captain as an honour. It is just for me to try and carry on and try to achieve great things for West Indies. It is all about offering support to the captain, coach and other players as we try to plan strategy and put more wins on the board.”
Pooran said: “I see this as another opportunity to learn and grow in the game. I was vice-captain for the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, so this is continuation of that work. It’s always good to share your knowledge as we look to continue the winning mentality. We were successful in Sri Lanka and this is a series we believe we can get more success against New Zealand.”
