Captain Roston Chase was left reflecting ruefully on a handful of missed chances and debatable umpiring calls after West Indies fell to a 159-run defeat against Australia on the third day of the first Test at Kensington Oval yesterday.
While the margin of defeat might suggest a one-sided affair, Chase said he believes the West Indies were well in the contest until lapses in the field and moments that did not fall their way tilted the balance firmly towards the visitors.
“Yeah, I mean, this game is a frustrating one for me and for the team as well because we bowled out Australia for a relatively low score. We were very happy with that,” he said at the post-match press conference.
“But then there were so many questionable calls in the game and none of them went our way. As a player, you’re out there giving your all, fighting, and then nothing is going your way. It can be heartbreaking.”
The 33-year-old Barbadian said players were often penalised for errors while officials were rarely held to account for theirs.
“When we mess up, when we get out of line, we are penalised harshly. Some things even come with a ban or a monetary fine, but the officials, nothing ever happens to them,” he said.
‘Even the playing field’
“One bad decision could make or break a guy’s career. I just think it should be an even playing field.”
Chase was especially candid about the cost of dropped catches (seven in total for the hosts), which gave Australia’s batsmen extra lives at decisive moments.
“It’s not nice when bowlers are coming in, putting in all the effort and we’re not holding the chances,” he admitted.
“We’ve been working hard on the slip catches. Every day we try to take at least 30 to 40 catches. However, practice and the match are two different things. The ball comes off the bat differently with a genuine edge than when we’re practising. But that’s the best we can do right now – keep practising and build that belief.”
Despite the defeat, there were bright sparks, none more than Shamar Joseph in his ninth Test match. The fast bowler from Berbice, Guyana, ended the contest with match figures of 9-133, having taken 4-46 in the first innings and 5-87 in the second. In doing so, he became the fifth bowler in Test match history to take a five-wicket haul in his first three Tests against Australia.
Joseph also showed some prowess with the bat, striking 44 runs – including four fours and four sixes – from 22 balls yesterday.
“He didn’t get the five-wicket haul in the first innings, but I was so glad to see him get it in the second innings,” Chase said of the 25-year-old pacer.
“The innings that he came and played at the end is just a glimpse of what he can do as a batsman and as a cricketer. He’s not just a guy who can only bowl. He likes to work on his batting in the nets. The energy that he brings around the training, around the guys, he’s just a lovely guy to have in the team.”
Looking ahead to the second Test in Grenada starting next Thursday, Chase said there will be no reactive selections.
“After one game, I can’t chop and change the side. It would make no sense. It’s a new line-up and you have to allow these guys to play together and find that synergy,” he said.
“Our bowling is our strength. We just need to find ways of getting at least 250 or 300 runs with the (batting) line-up that we have. Once we can do that consistently, I think we’ll become a competitive side.” (JC)
