Why Roston Chase is a promising all-rounder

West Indies' historic win at Headingley against England has rejuvenated Caribbean Test cricket. The victory reflected West Indies' potential and has injected the faith in the team that they can form a unit which is capable of winning Tests.

An essential cog in a winning Test team is an all-rounder and currently, in the West Indies' team, that role is been played by Roston Chase. The off-spinner bats in the lower order and is effective with the bat as well as with the ball.

A batting average of 41.42 in 22 Test innings and 24 wickets in 16 innings do justify his talent and hence the Barbadian cricketer is a promising talent that can blossom into an ideal all-rounder in Tests.

Here are five points that prove Chase's worth as a promising all-rounder.

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#5. Performances in domestic cricket

An international cricketer on most occasions comes to the limelight through domestic cricket. Performances in domestic cricket reflect the talent and the abilities of the players and provide a glimpse of how their future might look like.

The same is the case with Chase. He made his Test debut in 2016 based on his sterling showing in the 2015-16 domestic season, 'Professional Cricket League'. During that season he was phenomenal with the bat and his bowling figures were impressive as well.

In ten matches, the right-hand batsman scored 710 runs at an average of 59.16. During the same year, his bowling improved effectively. He averaged a mere 17.26 with the ball and had 23 wickets to his name.

Most importantly, against Guyana, a team with strong batting line-up, he claimed five-wicket hauls in both innings.

In his overall career, Chase has featured in 53 first-class games and has scored more than three thousand runs. He averages 45.40 with the bat while his bowling average is 28.91. He has 89 wickets to his name in 73 innings.

His fabulous show in domestic cricket makes a strong case for Chase as a promising all-rounder.

#5. Early performances in international cricket

Chase showed glimpse of his talent in his only second Test

Chase's early performances in international cricket especially in Tests are a testimony to his all-round skills. He debuted against India in the home Test series in 2016. In his first Test, he scored 31 runs in two innings and conceded 102 runs in 34 overs. The debut game was anything but forgettable.

But the Caribbean all-rounder came back strongly in the second Test and was instrumental in earning a draw. India amassed 500 runs in the Test, but Chase was the only bowler who kept things tight.

The off-spinner accounted for half of India's team and picked key wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Later came to the fore to wrap up the tail as well. However, his major contribution in the Test came with the bat.

With West Indies tottering at four down for 48 in the second innings, a threat of defeat was looming large. R Ashwin and other Indian bowlers looked dangerous while the fifth-day pitch was nothing less than a minefield.

But Chase weathered the storm and batted for the entire fifth day. He went back unscratched after scoring his maiden Test match hundred and importantly after securing a draw for his team.

In the process, the Barbadian cricketer became the only fourth West Indian player to score a hundred and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test.

#3. Physical and mental fitness

The role of an all-rounder in Test cricket is a tedious job. It requires fitness of highest standards as the all-rounder is expected to deliver in both departments. In this regard, Chase has ticked all boxes.

His physical fitness is ideal for an all-rounder. The 25-year-old is one of the fittest Caribbean cricketers and takes serious efforts to keep himself fit for the longest format of the game.

At the same time, he is mentally strong and has high levels of concentration. Bowling for longer duration doesn't affect his batting and he is able to keep himself focused without getting exhausted.

In the third Test against Pakistan in 2017 at Roseau, Chase bowled for 32 overs and then batted for 228 minutes in the first innings. He cameback in the second innings and spent more than six hours at the crease, scoring a Test hundred and pushing the game till the penultimate over.

This sensational batting and bowling performances indicate that Chase is capable of pushing his physical as well as mental limits to any extent.

#2. Technique and temperament

Chase's off-spin has little mystery around it and he isn't a master of flight or drift. But what he has in abundance is the ability to pitch the ball in the right areas without getting exhausted. Also, his tall body enables him to purchase more bounce from the surface.

This combination of awkward bounce and accuracy makes him a difficult bowler to handle and the fact that he can bowl for longer durations with the same intensity makes things more difficult for the batsmen.

In batting, his solid defense is the key to his success. Unlike other batsmen who bat in the lower order, he doesn't focus on quick runs and in fact prices his wicket. He has the technique that allows him to keep the pacers as well as the spinners at the bay.

Two out of three of his centuries have come in the second innings when the team was in trouble and this attitude of taking the responsibility when it matters the most speaks volume about his temperament.

#1. Significant career improvement

Test cricket is cruel. The same formula of success doesn't produce the desired results every time. Innovation and adaptability allow players to stand at the top for a long duration. Consistent improvement is the characteristic of a quality Test cricketer.

Chase has done the same in his Test career so far. When he arrived in international cricket, his bowling although effective was immature. But with time, he has developed more venom in his off-breaks and has plans for every batsman.

In his last three Tests, he has grabbed 12 wickets at a rate of a wicket every 55.5 balls and 32.66 runs per wicket. These figures are much better than his career statistics. His career bowling average is 47.75 and strike rate is 86.5.

In batting too he has honed his skills. In the second innings against England in the Headingley Test, he batted for 58 balls and scored 30 crucial runs which brought West Indies closer to a historic chase.

He arrived at the crease when Kraigg Brathwaite's wicket had given England an opening. Chase with his firm batting kept the hosts at the bay for 16 overs and pushed them out of the game.

These improved skills have made Chase an ideal all-rounder who can be banked upon for rescuing the team in all condition.