Barbadian all-rounder named Windies Skipper; Mottley lauds appointment

Roston Chase has been named the new captain of the West Indies Test team, beating out five contenders to succeed fellow Barbadian Kraigg Brathwaite. And Prime Minister Mia Mottley has hailed the 33-year-old’s appointment as a testament to the island’s enduring cricketing legacy.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the appointment on Friday following a Board of Directors meeting at Kensington Oval, where Chase’s selection was unanimously approved. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was named vice-captain.

The captaincy had been left vacant earlier this year after Brathwaite’s unexpected resignation. 

The selection of Chase as his replacement followed a rigorous evaluation process assessing candidates on leadership, team respect, cricketing knowledge, personal conduct, media and communication skills, and results from psychometric testing. The other candidates were Warrican, John Campbell, Tevin Imlach, Joshua Da Silva, and Justin Greaves. Another Barbadian, ODI and T20 captain Shai Hope had declined consideration to focus on his existing leadership roles.

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow praised the selection process, saying it was “one of the most comprehensive and forward-thinking we have undertaken”.

“I am deeply impressed by the professionalism, objectivity, and strategic thinking that shaped the final decision. It sets a new benchmark for leadership appointments in West Indies cricket,” he said.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy added that he was looking forward to working with the new captain.

“I fully endorse this appointment. Our new captain has earned the respect of his peers, understands the responsibility that comes with the role, and has shown the leadership qualities we need to take this team forward,” he said. “I urge fans across the region to rally behind him—we’re building something special.”

Chase has played 49 Test matches since making his debut against India in 2016, scoring 2265 runs at an average of 26.33, inclusive of five centuries and 11 half-centuries. The middle-order batsman and off-spinner has also taken 85 wickets at an economy rate of 3.45.

Prime Minister Mottley called his appointment a proud day for Barbados and a continuation of its cricketing legacy.

“Today, we witness history,” she said in a statement. “Roston Chase, a humble son of the soil, is now the 10th Barbadian to captain the West Indies team — an extraordinary milestone not just for him, but for every Barbadian who believes in discipline, dignity, and quiet determination.”

Chase joins an elite lineage of Barbadian cricketing leaders, from Teddy Hoad in 1929, who captained the inaugural home Test against England, to the legendary Sir Frank Worrell, the first Black man to lead the West Indies in a full series. The list also includes iconic figures such as Sir Garfield Sobers — one of the island’s two living national heroes — Clyde Walcott, Desmond Haynes, Floyd Reifer, Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, and Shai Hope.

“Roston Chase stands tall among these giants,” said Mottley. “Not a flashy player, but one who quietly goes about his work. A man of effort, of persistence, of belief. In many ways, he represents the best of who we are — working hard, staying grounded, and trusting that reward comes not with noise, but with resolve.”

Chase’s first assignment will be a challenging three-match home series against world number one Australia, starting June 25 at Kensington Oval.

Prime Minister Mottley, who is also chairman of CARICOM, encouraged the region to support Chase and the entire West Indies team.

“I want us to remember the words of our regional cricket anthem–words that echo a shared destiny: ‘This Caribbean nation is rising fast, a sunbeam cutting through a clouded past.

“From Kingston to Kingstown, from Georgetown to Bridgetown, from Port of Spain to Castries, let us — every one of us — rally ’round the West Indies.”

(CMC/BT)