HAMILTON – Vice-captain Roston Chase has urged West Indies’ bowlers to place more emphasis on line and length if they are to be effective against New Zealand in the opening Test at Seddon Park here.
Speaking during a press conference following a difficult first day for the Caribbean side, Chase said improvements were needed if they were to limit the hosts and keep themselves in the game heading into Friday’s second day.
New Zealand, sent in on a grassy pitch, reached 243 for two at the close with captain Kane Williamson top-scoring with an unbeaten 97 in a 154-run, second wicket stand with opener Tom Latham who struck an impressive 86.
“Obviously we didn’t have the best day in the field, only got two wickets,” Chase told reporters.
“I thought the New Zealand batters played really well. Kudos to them. After we got the early break with the new ball much wasn’t happening for us. The guys left the ball well.
“As you said I think tomorrow (Friday) we have to come back, hit those lines and length again or probably make the batsmen play a little more with the new ball if we do take it early tomorrow and make it count.
“I thought we could have made the batsmen play a little bit more, although they left the ball well in certain areas.
“I thought that we could have made them play a little bit more. But also we thought the pitch would have done a bit more seeing that it was such a green pitch.”
He added, “But I thought the pitch played really well. Some balls, probably two or three balls throughout the day took off in length, but other than that I thought the pitch played true.”
Though New Zealand dominated the day after the first session was lost to rain, the Windies four-pronged pace attack hit back in the final hour to put Williamson and Ross Taylor (31 not out) under pressure.
And even though he went wicket-less, captain and seamer Jason Holder produced a top spell which did not go unnoticed by Chase.
“I thought Jason bowled really well today. [He] beat the bat on several occasions probably more so than any other bowler,” said Chase, whose few overs of off-spin proved ineffective.
“But we come to usually expect these types of spells from Jason where he is bowling very tight and always has something that seems to be happening.
“Kudos to Jason but hopefully tomorrow we could put in just as good a performance and reap the rewards.”
West Indies looked set to make inroads when speedster Shannon Gabriel claimed debutant Will Young in the fourth over of the match for five but Williamson and Lathan then put the hosts in command with their big partnership.
Chase said the partnership had been the frustrating part of the day for the Windies.
“We know Williamson is a class player so we have to produce a good hook to get him. He doesn’t give away much and he is really patient,” he said.
“I find that out of the New Zealand batsmen he is probably the most patient. I think Latham is patient as well. He leaves the ball probably the best in the team.
Sometimes he gets a little rash but I find that doesn’t happen with the skipper. So, well played to him.”
