West Indies’ ongoing batting struggles stem largely from limited finances and substandard infrastructure in the Caribbean, said Test captain Roston Chase following their series-opening defeat to India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
India secured victory inside three days and head to Delhi as strong favourites to complete a 2-0 series sweep against a West Indies side that had earlier been whitewashed 3-0 at home by Australia in July.
In Ahmedabad, West Indies were dismissed for 162 and 146 and failed to bowl out India during their only innings.
“I think the systems in the Caribbean are a bit lacking in terms of training facilities and support,” Chase told reporters after the innings-and-140-run defeat. “That said, I’m not using it as an excuse for our recent performances. The responsibility ultimately falls on the players to find ways to score runs and take wickets.
“But there’s no denying that finances are a struggle in the Caribbean. Any support we can get to strengthen cricket infrastructure would be hugely beneficial.”
West Indies batted a total of just 89.2 overs in Ahmedabad, showing vulnerability against both pace and spin. Chase attributed this partly to conditions back home.
“The pitches in the Caribbean aren’t particularly batsman-friendly, so long innings and big scores are rare,” he explained. “The outfields are also very slow, so even well-timed shots often don’t yield two runs. These are challenges we constantly face.”
The team, which was bowled out for 27 in the third Test against Australia, has surpassed 250 only once in its last 15 innings.
“We’ve struggled to bat even 80 overs, let alone a full day, or post 250–300 runs,” Chase said. “If you win the toss in a Test and fail to bat out the first day, you’re immediately at a disadvantage.”
