Roddy Estwick, West Indies’ bowling coach, addressed the media at the end of the first day’s play in St Lucia. Excerpts from the press conference:
On the disciplined bowling effort from West Indies…
Well, we tried to be as disciplined as possible. If you look back in the past, we were leaking runs, specially in Australia we were going at 4-5 runs an over. We are trying to make sure (we) learn a little bit more discipline. It’s Test cricket, it’s all about patience and restricting. It’s also to move to the next level by getting wickets, and by getting wickets then we can look to get 20 wickets in a Test match.
Do you think you’ve lost the advantage with the Ashwin-Saha stand?
You’ve got to give credit to Ashwin and Saha, obviously they played well. We had a little bit of bad luck. Ashwin getting out to a no-ball, (and) there were one or two close shaves as well. Credit to them, they batted well and that’s what Test cricket is about. It ebbs and flows. We’ve got to refresh ourselves and comeback tomorrow and try to restrict them to around 300.
Good execution of plans?
We’ve worked hard on trying to get the boys to execute our plans. We know it’s Test cricket and we’ve got to be disciplined. We’re playing against India, which right now is probably one of the stronger batting sides in the world. You’ve got to be disciplined, you know they’re trying to play shots and we’re working very, very hard. It’s a young, young attack. We’ve got Miguel Cummins in his 2nd Test, Alzarri in his first, Shannon in his 17th and the captain in his 16th and Roston Chase in his 3rd Test. It takes time but we’re trying to build blocks and we’re trying to work and get there.
On debutant Alzarri Joseph…
Well, obviously he had to be integrated into the side. It takes time. It’s a big step coming in from the U-19 side to Test cricket. He came in the second Test and the selectors felt he was ready, we felt with this pitch (had) a little bit more bounce and pace in it, that it was a good time to release him and obviously he did well. It’s his first day in Test cricket and I’m sure he would be happy with it. And he can build on that.
Was it a more conscious effort to bowl short stuff?
Well, it’s more planning. We’re planning for each individual. And that’s the key. You’ve got some taller players and you want to bowl different lengths to them and different lengths to shorter players. So, it’s all about planning and the boys are beginning to execute the plans a lot better.
Chase’s role with the ball?
Chase has been outstanding for us. When you look at his record for Barbados, he would be a batsman who bowls spin, but he’s come in and bowled well and he’s been disciplined. He’s been asked to a line and do a role and he’s done it really really well. We’re very, very happy with Roston’s performance. Once he keeps improving, because he’s a part-timer at best, he’ll be a very good bowler for us.
On Alzarri Joseph’s performance…
We’re happy with his day’s work. Obviously, it’s his first Test and he got two big wickets for us, and his pace didn’t look too bad. As he goes on and he understands Test cricket and he goes from bowling 10 overs in a match to 20 overs, we’ve got high hopes from him. He’s young at 19 and it’s only good for West Indies cricket that we can get some firepower as well to add to Shannon’s firepower as well.
Expected Indian team changes?
Well, we go through the whole squad, all the batsmen. In Test cricket, you can’t be surprised. You’ve got to plan well and plan for every player and if he’s selected, you know what to do. So,we weren’t surprised by the changes, we thought changes will come, but the key thing is that we plan for each player and the whole squad.
