Daren Sammy opens up on skipper Chase's fitness ahead of Pakistan Tests
Sammy also praises 19-year-old spinner Vitel Lawes for his impressive performances against New Zealand
BARBADOS: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy is confident Test captain Roston Chase will be fit for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan despite still recovering from a right index finger injury.
Chase missed the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining the injury, but Sammy believes the all-rounder remains on track to lead the side in the opening Test.
"I spoke to Roston earlier today," Sammy said.
"He came to do his workout. It's still a little bit puffy, but Roston is a fighter. I know he's won't want to miss any Test cricket.
"I'm pretty sure Dr Byam [team physio Denis Byam] has a way of keeping the guys on the park, so I'm confident Roston will be ready for the first Test."
West Indies will now turn their attention to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 after suffering a 3-2 ODI series defeat to New Zealand at home. The two-match Test series against Pakistan begins on July 25 in Tarouba.
West Indies are currently eighth in the WTC standings, while Pakistan sit at the bottom of the table. Sammy also praised 19-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes for an impressive debut ODI series.
Lawes, who caught the eye during the ICC Men's Under-19 T20 World Cup earlier this year, was a surprise inclusion for the New Zealand series and repaid the selectors' faith by taking eight wickets in five matches.
"I would say I'm proud of what he's done," Sammy said.
"Taking a chance on a kid who's never played a game, in a region where you're not sure how quickly a player will develop.
"And we didn't pick Lawes just from the heart. The processes we followed in fast-tracking his development, a lot of people don't see that.
"After the series, I told Lawes I was really proud of him. To finish with eight wickets, look like he belongs at this level and contribute while we're trying to develop players was really pleasing.
"I'm really proud of what he's done in his debut series."
The West Indies coach also hailed the match-winning contributions of Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford in the final ODI but urged both middle-order batters to produce such performances more consistently.
Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 69, while Rutherford struck 64 as West Indies successfully chased 269 to end the series on a winning note.
"When you see someone like Hetty play like that and you see Sherfane play like that, you ask yourself why it's not more consistent," Sammy said.
"For me, it's always a constant battle. When are they going to become consistent? When do we stop giving opportunities?
"But when you look at the talent they have, it's so hard for them not to be part of the team. I was quite pleased."
Pakistan tour of West Indies – Test series schedule:
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