T20 newcomer Chase prepared to play ‘anchor’ role at World Cup

Batsman Roston Chase is prepared to play the role of anchor for West Indies at the World T20, a role similar to what Marlon Samuels performed during the 2012 and 2016 successes.

Chase, who is yet to play T20 Internationals, earned his spot after an outstanding Hero Caribbean Premier League season, which he ended as the Most Valuable Player with a tournament-high 446 runs and 10 wickets.

At a virtual press conference Thursday, the 29-year-old Bajan said he is looking forward to an opportunity to perform on the global stage.

“I see myself playing a similar role (as Samuels did). It’s the role I played for the St. Lucia franchise for the last two years; come in most likely just after the Powerplay, knock it around, pick up the ones and twos and get the occasional boundary when the ball is in my area,” Chase said of his approach on Thursday.

“It’s an easier role for me; I like that role. With the power-hitting guys that we have in this team, my role should be just to really give them the strike and let them do their thing.”

Surrounded by a band of power-hitters, Samuels was the stabiliser in both the 2012 and 2016 World Cup triumphs.

He was Man-of-the-Match in both finals, scoring 78 off 56 balls against Sri Lanka in 2012 and an unbeaten 85 off 66 against England in 2016.

The T20 World Cup starts on October 17, but West Indies get into action on October 23 against 2016 runners-up England.