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Play Every Ball On Merit: Chase Urges West Indies Newcomers To Stay Open-minded In Bangladesh

The West Indies: West Indies captain Roston Chase wants his inexperienced players to approach the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh with an open mind, saying the visitors must adapt to the conditions rather than make assumptions about the pitches. The first Test begins on Wednesday, with only five members of the West Indies squad having previously played Test cricket in Bangladesh. Chase believes the team should focus on responding to the conditions and the situation of the match instead of deciding in advance how they should approach the game. We just tell them to play what they see. We dont want them to come into the game with any preconceived mindset as to if a pitch is going to spin, if its going to seam, or whatever its going to do. We just want them to come with a clear and open mind to do whatever is needed of them at any given time to succeed, Chase told reporters, as quoted by Cricinfo. Chase added that the teams approach would depend on the conditions, the scoreboard and the match situation, with every player expected to rely on their individual strengths. I wouldnt say were going to go with any specific style. I just think each individual player has their own style and their own strengths and weaknesses. And I just think that the way well play will be dictated by the conditions and by the scoreboard and the situation of the game, he said. The West Indies captain has inspected the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, which will host the opening Test, and expects spin to be a factor despite discussions about preparing more sporting surfaces in Bangladesh. I still think theyre going to probably shave down some grass or have a little more preparation, but the thing about a wicket is both sides have to play on it. Its not a wicket where one side gets to do something and the next team doesnt get to do it. You still have four innings of cricket, so whoever adapts and adjusts the best on the wicket, I think will come out victorious, he added. The visitors will be without in-form batter Shai Hope, who has been rested after an impressive run of performances in India, where he scored four centuries across the ODI and T20I formats. Chase admitted that Hopes absence would be a setback but said the team must concentrate on the players available in the squad. Hes going to be a big miss for us having Shai Hope out, but hes been playing a lot of cricket. Obviously, hes the captain of both white-ball formats; hes been in great form, but hes not here, so thats something that we cant worry about, Chase said. Chase admitted that Hopes absence would be a setback but said the team must concentrate on the players available in the squad. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS