ALTHOUGH pleased with Roston Chase being named as West Indies Test captain, former West Indies batsman Philo Wallace says he will need to hit the ground running if he’s to earn the trust of the Caribbean fans.

All-rounder Chase was named the new leader of the Windies red-ball team on Friday, following a lengthy selection process by Cricket West Indies (CWI). The 33-year-old Bajan, who replaces countryman Kraigg Brathwaite, was “unanimously approved” by the CWI board of directors, ahead of five other candidates which included Jamaican John Campbell.

Since his debut in 2016 Chase has racked up 49 Test appearances and proved to be one of the most consistent batsmen in the team, registering five centuries and 11 half-centuries.

However, he hasn’t played a Test match in over two years, with his last coming against South Africa in March 2023.

Wallace, who has 40 caps for the Windies in Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODI) combined, admits that Chase’s recent absence is a concern but believes he can still excel in the role.

“He has proven himself at the Test level as an all-rounder and he’s also led Barbados, I believe, in a few first class games in absence of Kraigg Brathwaite, so that will put him in good stead,” Wallace told the Jamaica Observer. “Also, he’s been performing during the first class season [so] that should also give him confidence.”

Chase’s first assignment as captain will be a three-Test series against Australia in the Caribbean this summer, with the third set for Sabina Park in Kingston from July 12-16.

Wallace says his team selection and prior experience in the team will be needed to succeed.

“He has to draw on experience — and that’s going to be key,” Wallace said. “We don’t know what the 15-man squad is going to be like; we know his vice-captain is going to be Jomel Warrican but he’ll have to draw on his experiences from the 49 Test matches and his 13- or 15-member squad to help him get through this Test series against Australia. We have to remember it’s a new Test cycle and Australia will be looking to gain maximum points.”

The upcoming Australia series will also be the first for Daren Sammy as the team’s new head coach.

Although Sammy will be closely scrutinised during his stint, Wallace says Chase should step up and prove he’s the man for the job.

“Daren Sammy hasn’t coached a red-ball squad so it’s going to be a challenge for him. But, he’s the man CWI has entrusted for white ball and red ball so the responsibility falls heavily on Sammy’s shoulders in the good and bad times for West Indies cricket. He’s the one who’s in control,” he said.

“[But] Chase has to go out there as a captain and do what he wants the players to do. The coach will give instructions but the captain still needs the players to execute. The captain has to be an independent thinker. It’s not everything the coach is going to tell you to do, it’s not possible so Chase still has to cut out his own niche and his own mark as the new West Indies captain.”

Prior to this summer’s Tests, Chase will return to the pitch this week in white-ball cricket as the West Indies take on hosts Ireland in a three-match ODI series, set to bowl off on Wednesday.

Roston Chase of the West Indies celebrates reaching his century during day four of the third Test match between the West Indies and England at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. (Photo: Courtesy of CWI)