In a surprising move last March West Indies made sweeping leadership changes across formats — one captain resigned unexpectedly, while another was removed. The decision to strip Rovman Powell of the T20 captaincy in particular sparked criticism. Following these changes Shai Hope was appointed captain for both the ODI and T20 formats. In Tests the leadership has now been handed to all-rounder Roston Chase — who hasn’t played a Test match in over two years.
Chase had previously captained the West Indies in one ODI and one T20I but he was absent from the Test squad for the last 13 matches. Despite this gap he has now been given charge of the red-ball format. Spinner Jomel Warrican has been appointed as his deputy in the Test setup.
This leadership reshuffle comes ahead of West Indies’ upcoming Test series against South Africa, which begins on June 25 at home. The series will mark the start of a new cycle in the ICC World Test Championship for the Caribbean side.
Roston Chase last appeared in a Test for West Indies in March 2023, against South Africa in Johannesburg. Since then the team has played 13 Tests without him. However, Chase brings substantial experience to the role. He has played 49 Tests scoring 2,265 runs with five centuries and eleven fifties and has taken 85 wickets as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Now, Chase is set to return to the field as captain — in what will be the 50th Test match of his career.
UA / TDS
