His considerable experience in Test cricket, and high value as batsman and bowler, undoubtedly largely influenced the decision to appoint Barbadian Mr Roston Chase as new West Indies captain in cricket’s longest format.

Mr Chase, a 33-year-old veteran of 49 Tests, replaces fellow Barbadian Mr Kraigg Brathwaite, who resigned as captain earlier this year in order to place greater focus on his batting.

On Friday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) also announced the appointment of another Barbadian, Mr Jomel Warrican, as vice-captain.

CWI said the appointments followed “a groundbreaking, robust and structured process to evaluate and recommend the next captain and vice-captain of the West Indies Test team”.

We are told that six short-listed candidates were interviewed with Messrs Chase and Warrican being chosen following “detailed assessment” including “psychometric testing to evaluate leadership style, behaviour, and overall suitability for the role, as well as structured interviews focused on tactical approach, communication skills, and team culture”.

The interview panel consisted of Head Coach Daren Sammy, Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, and chairman of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee Enoch Lewis.

Mr Chase will have powerful Australia as his first opponent across three Test matches in the Caribbean come June/July.

Ranked number one by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Test cricket, current World Champions Australia will start as huge favourites against West Indies, ranked at eight. That will be the case even should Australia lose to South Africa in their World Championship Test match in England next month.

However, there have been recent signs of improvement for the West Indies in Test cricket. These include a stunning, totally unexpected 1-1 series tie with Australia in that country early last year and another away 1-1 tie with Pakistan — again unexpected — in January.

In-between those achievements was a disappointing 0-3 loss to England in that country and a 1-1 tie with Bangladesh in the Caribbean.

Solid improvement in West Indian bowling has contributed to recent quiet optimism.

However, it seems clear that for Mr Chase and his team to seriously challenge the Australians in the upcoming Tests, batting — which has been mediocre and inconsistent at best, for the last decade and more — must come good. So too West Indian catching, which has slipped badly since the legendary teams of three/four decades ago.

From a batting perspective, much will depend on the new captain.

A tall, right-handed stroke maker, Mr Chase promised much in 2016 when, in what was only his second Test, he batted through the last day, scoring a brilliant, unbeaten 137 to save West Indies from what had seemed certain defeat at the close of the fourth day. In that game against India at Sabina Park, the Barbadian also underlined his all-round credentials earning a five-wicket haul with his off-breaks.

Mr Chase soared to great heights the following year in the Caribbean, scoring 403 runs in three Tests against strong, well-balanced Pakistan bowling, for an average of 100.75.

Statisticians tell us that after 10 Tests back then, Mr Chase was averaging close to 50 in Test cricket. Sadly, his Test match batting form slumped precipitously thereafter.

The hope is that Mr Chase’s tactical leadership and form with bat and ball will inspire and reinvigorate the Caribbean side against Australia and beyond.