Execution will be key for us – Roach

January 18, 2021
West Indies Kemar Roach bowls during play on day two of the first cricket test between the West Indies and New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand, Friday, December 4, 2020.
West Indies Kemar Roach bowls during play on day two of the first cricket test between the West Indies and New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand, Friday, December 4, 2020.
West Indies’ fast bowler Kemar Roach stretches during a training session in Bangladesh yesterday.
West Indies’ fast bowler Kemar Roach stretches during a training session in Bangladesh yesterday.
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West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach says execution by the bowlers will be one of the key components when the regional side take on Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series, which bowls off on February 3.

Roach, along with pacers Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph, will be called upon to spearhead the West Indies attack against a resolute Bangladesh batting unit, which has welcomed back their most senior player in Shakib Al Hasan.

Roach, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in Kingstown back in 2009, says he will be hoping to improve on his away record in Bangladesh, where he has just picked up four wickets in three matches.

"Over in Bangladesh, it's tougher to get wickets for a fast bowler. I think once we plan well and execute those plans as best as we can, I am looking forward to doing well over here and that is to help the team to win," said Roach.

Pull out all the stops

Overall, Roach has picked up 33 scalps in eight Test matches against Bangladesh; however, to gain more success, he will have to pull out all the stops on the lower and slower wickets in Dhaka.

"I think it's more about attacking with the field over here. Predominantly, you have to bowl a bit straighter, because there is not much bounce in the pitches. It's also good to mix things up and keep it simple and bowl in the right areas," added Roach.

The 32-year-old is well aware that the fast bowling unit will need to set things up for the spinners in the squad, and the Barbadian is quite keen to play that role to give the regional side their best chance of claiming a rare Test series win in Bangladesh.

"We have a job to do, myself, Shannon and Alzarri. The spinners will probably do the bulk of the work, but once we do what we are best at, which is taking wickets, I think it will help the team out as a bowling unit and we can execute our plans better."

The West Indies Test squad will get to test the Bangladeshi conditions on January 28 when they play a four-day warm-up game at the M.A. Aziz stadium in Chattogram.

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