Chase: Wicket not that helpful to bowlers

VICE-CAPTAIN Roston Chase said the West Indies players thought the green wicket at Hamilton would have given the bowlers some more assistance on day one of the opening Test match against New Zealand, on Thursday.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson cracked an unbeaten 97 to steer the home team to a commanding 243/2 at the close on day one. Tom Latham provided excellent support to his captain with 86. Williamson and Latham put on 154 for the second wicket after Will Young fell for five.

“We thought it would have done a bit more seeing the amount of grass that is on the surface, but as I said the pitch really played well today,” Chase told media in New Zealand.

Chase said on the second day the Windies bowlers need to be more disciplined.

“I thought the New Zealand batters played really well, kudos to them. After we got the early break with the new ball not much was happening for us at all. The guys left the ball well so kudos to them, but as you said tomorrow we just got to come back, hit those lines and lengths again or probably make the batsmen play a little more with the new ball if we do take it early tomorrow and make it count.”

West Indies captain Jason Holder was unfortunate not to grab any wickets on the opening day after testing the opposing batsmen.

Chase is hoping his skipper can get his name into the wicket column. “If he was frustrated he was not showing it. I thought Jason bowled really well today. (He) beat the bat on several occasions probably more so than any other bowler, but we usually come to expect these kinds of spells from Jason where he is bowling very tight and always has something happening. Kudos to Jason, but hopefully tomorrow (Friday) he could put in a performance just as good and reap the rewards.”

Reflecting on what Williamson accomplished, Chase said, “We know Williamson is a class player, so we know that we really have to produce a good (spell) to get him (out).”

Speaking about Williamson’s approach at the crease, Chase said, “He does not really give away much and he is really patient. I find that out of the other New Zealand batsmen he is probably the most patient. I think Latham is patient as well. He leaves the ball probably the best in the team. Sometimes he gets a little rash, but I find that does not really happen with the skipper so well played to him.”