Kemar Roach Backs Ben Stokes To Do A Good Job As England Captain

Kemar Roach, West Indian pace bowling spearhead, believes England have ‘some big shoes to fill’ when it comes to their batting department in the absence of regular captain Joe Root in the first #raisethenbat Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Joe Root will be missing the first Test of the three-match Wisden Trophy against the West Indies in order to be with his wife, who is expecting their second child.

With Root, who averages 48 after 92 Tests, not a part of the batting line-up, it leaves England with a heavily inexperienced top-4 in Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley, and Joe Denly, which might play in the hands of the West Indian pace attack.

But, with West Indies missing two of their star players in Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, Roach reckoned that the visitors are also stepping in the unknown.

“Obviously a Test match without Root, with the fantastic stats he has, is going to be a bit of an advantage for us. Those are some big shoes to fill,” Kemar Roach told ESPNCricinfo.

“He’s one that keeps the England batting together, he’s done fantastically for them for the last couple of years so without him it is a bit of an advantage for us,” he said.

“But also, we’re at a little bit of a disadvantage because there are some new guys coming in that we have to work out and see what their weaknesses are and try to exploit them.” Kemar Roach added.

Also Read: Kemar Roach Reckons Retaining The Wisden Trophy As West Indies ‘Number-One’ Goal

“I’m a huge fan of Ben Stokes”- Kemar Roach

In the absence of Joe Root, Ben Stokes will be leading the English team. The talismanic all-rounder does not have any experience in leading a side but Roach, who revealed him being a ‘huge fan’ of the Durham all-rounder, has backed him to do a good job as captain.

“I’m a huge fan of Ben Stokes, I think he’s a fantastic cricketer. We all know how he plays cricket, he’s very energetic and brings a lot of energy to the field and a lot of confidence when he bats and bowls,” Kemar Roach said.

“I’m expecting a very free and relaxed England team to come out there and express themselves, because that’s the way he plays. It’s interesting to see him captain, it will be the first time I’m going to see it, but I’m sure with him at the head that they’ll be in good hands and I wish him all the best.” he added.

The upcoming series is being built as a tussle between the top-2 ranked all-rounders in the world in Jason Holder and Ben Stokes, and Kemar Roach said he is ‘looking forward’ to the battle.

“It’s always good to have challenges and battles, it brings out the best in you. I hope he and Ben Stokes go at it a couple of times. I’m looking forward to that battle for sure. They’re both fantastic cricketers and I’m sure that once they’re battling, it will be great cricket to watch.” Kemar Roach said.

The first Test of the Wisden Trophy starts at the Ageas Bowl on July 08.

Also Read: Kemar Roach Calls For The Use Of Wax Or Change Of Ball After 50-55 Overs In The Wake Of Saliva Ban