Roston Chase, embarking on his journey as Test captain for the West Indies, speaks of the legacy he inherits. Following in the storied footsteps of Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, and Viv Richards, Chase aims to carve out his unique path in this significant role. His journey to captaincy is rooted in personal challenges, including a pivotal two-year ultimatum from his mother to prove cricket was his destined career. “Playing for West Indies means everything to me, so I’m ready for the responsibilities,” Chase asserts.
At the age of 33 and with 49 Tests behind him, Chase reflects on his early days at 18, trying to establish his place in the Barbados team. “I was a student at the University of West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill at the time, and I would be taking a lot of leave to go and play like in the first-class competition,” Chase recalls. “My mother encouraged me, but gave me an ultimatum that I will be given two years to make myself a permanent fixture in the Barbados team or I will have to go to school permanently.” His mother’s challenge pushed him forward, as his love for cricket outpaced his academic pursuits.
Chase’s father, offering constant support, attended his games and provided insights on his performance. “He would come and watch all my games, and talk to me about the game, [like] where I need to improve or I need to work on – the dos and don’ts,” Chase notes.
Although the West Indies’ Test schedule is less busy than other teams, Chase is acutely aware of the historical weight his team carries, especially recalling the dominant side of the 1980s. “Captaining the West Indies is a great job to have, and there’s a legacy attached to it,” he shares.
Despite not featuring in a Test since March 2023, Chase was appointed captain after what Cricket West Indies described as a “detailed assessment process.” In the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, West Indies will play 13 Tests, alongside a non-WTC match against Afghanistan in 2027. Chase’s captaincy debut will come in a three-match home series against Australia, starting on 25 June in Bridgetown.
