Mirpur:West Indies captain Roston Chase has announced that his team aims to improve their World Test Championship (WTC) standings by securing victories in the upcoming two Test matches against Bangladesh. The team is currently positioned eighth in the WTC standings, and the forthcoming series marks their last opportunity to advance in this cycle.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chase emphasized the importance of the series at a press conference, stating that the team needs to perform well to climb the standings. He highlighted their performance this year, having played four Test matches with two wins, one draw, and one loss, and expressed confidence in their form as they head into the series against Bangladesh.
The first Test of the two-match series is set to commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The West Indies team arrived in Bangladesh following a 10-day training camp in Chennai, which included two full-team practice sessions and a practice match. Chase believes this preparation has acclimatized the players to the local conditions, despite the hotter-than-usual weather.
Chase mentioned that Bangladesh's stronger pace attack, along with their traditional spin strength, would require his batters to adapt their approach based on the conditions and match situation. He also highlighted the key role of posting competitive totals in both innings, noting the importance of building on strong first-innings performances.
All-rounder Justin Greaves is expected to be available for the opening Test after recovering from a minor injury. Chase also acknowledged the challenge posed by the Bangladesh pitches and advised his team to approach the games without preconceived notions about the playing conditions.
Chase dismissed concerns about recent financial and contractual issues affecting the players' commitment, affirming that the squad is fully committed to representing the Caribbean side and motivated to perform well in the series.