Roach approach
PERTH, Australia – Young West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has attracted rave reviews from experts and his opponents on the current Australia tour and he is eager to help his team win the third and final Test match.
Roach’s rapid pace has consistently topped 94 miles per hour in the first two Test matches of the series and he is now being rated among the fastest bowlers in the modern game.
Speaking yesterday, the 21-year-old Barbadian said he is going in search of wickets in the third and final Test at the WACA Ground in Perth, starting Wednesday at 10:30 am (10:30 pm Tuesday Eastern Caribbean Time/9:30 pm Jamaica time).
“Right now I’m concentrating on my accuracy. I’m not concentrating on all-out speed. I’m looking to get wickets and help the team to win the Test match and draw the series,” he said.
“This is my first time in Australia and I’m trying to learn as much as possible and win the match for the West Indies. We have worked hard throughout the series and we would love to have a victory in the last match to take home.”
“The aim is to stay focussed on what I have to do and execute the team plan. I will try to bowl what the batsman does not expect and try to make them uncomfortable,” Roach added.
There has been a lot of talk surrounding a possible contest between Roach and Aussie captain Ricky Ponting.
But Roach, who has dislodged Ponting twice already in the series, played down the confrontation and said his attention is fixed on winning the match for the West Indies and not looking at any one player.
“Ponting is one of the best batsmen in the world. I have a lot of respect for him. To have his wicket a couple of times is a big prize. It’s a matter of trying to bowl well and trying to get wickets to help the team to win. If I get Ponting again, that would be great for me. If we win the Test match and draw the series, that would be even better.”
The West Indies have a proud record at the WACA.
The two teams have met here in six Tests — West Indies won five and the Australians one. The Windies won three of their last four Tests played at the ground, dating back to 1988.
Only one of those matches has gone the distance with the other three having finished inside three days.
“I have heard about the Perth wicket. I hear it’s pretty quick and bouncy. Most of the wickets in the world are flat so to get one which is bouncy and pacy would make any fast bowler happy. There are not many wickets like this in the world.”