By Far The Best Innings With Bat, Admits Kemar Roach On His Match-Winning Knock Against Pakistan

On Sunday, West Indies bowler Kemar Roach revealed that his unbeaten 30 against Pakistan in the first Test was his best innings with the bat so far in his 13 years of international cricket.

Roach’s inning came in a winning cause for the hosts as West Indies beat Pakistan by one wicket in what was a thriller match at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Pakistan set West Indies a target of 168 and their bowlers Shaheen Afridi (4/50) and Hasan Ali (3/37) caused damage to the opposition’s batting line-up by picking regular wickets.

Kemar Roach takes West Indies to finishing line against Pakistan

Roach, who came in to bat when his team was at 114/7, forged a 28-run partnership with wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva before the latter nicked off Afridi’s bowling. Roach said his plan was to bat each ball at one time.

“By far. By far (the best innings with the bat). I have never been in a situation like that before. Batting with the tail, I am a part of the tail. For me, just go out there and believe, that was the biggest thing. Believe, stay positive,” Roach told the official broadcaster after the match.

“Bat each ball at a time. Our batting coach says, “Monty, one ball battles”. Just take on one ball at a time. At the end of the day, it came off and we won the Test match,” he added.

Jayden Seales is a star future for West Indies: Kemar Roach

Jayden Seales, who became the youngest West Indies bowler to pick a five-for, was the last batsman for West Indies.

Seales contributed only two runs in the 17-run partnership with Roach that steered the game for the West Indies and they took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Roach told Seales to protect the stumps and felt the teenager will be a star player for West Indies in future.

“I just told him that, protect your stumps. Obviously, on that wicket, the biggest threat is the ball straight. So I just told him to protect the wicket as best as he could. If you get nicked off, if you get caught, that’s fine. Just protect your wickets. He did it very well.” Roach commented on the advice given to his batting partner.

“He showed great fight. He is a star for the future. He has a good heart. He is very calm under pressure. I am proud of him as well,” Roach concluded.

Also Read: West Indies Pacer Jayden Seales Reprimanded For Breaching Level 1 Of The ICC Code Of Conduct