This week, Kemar Roach is sitting on the West Indies Academy bench. Next week, he is expected to be in the Barbados Pride camp. That’s the life of the 36-year-old as he continues his rehabilitation from a slight groin injury sustained in Pakistan last month. He has signed a player/mentor contract which sees him assisting young fast bowlers around the region as well as continuing his playing career.
For the ongoing four-day firstclass match with the pink ball at Kensington Oval, he has been working alongside head coach Ramesh Subasinghe and assistant coach Rohan Nurse. After this match, when the Academy depart the island, he is hoping to get the greenlight and be part of the Pride’s starting XI against the Jamaica Scorpions.
“I was asked to come in to work with the young players in the West Indies Academy side and I relish this opportunity. They wanted me to come and to have a look at the bowlers and do some mentoring and help them to understand what it takes to be an international cricketer and what it takes to perform. When I was young, I had a lot of help from a lot of good people, including Corey Collymore and Kirk Edwards, and others who played a lot for cricket and now is the opportunity to pass on some of my knowledge,” Roach said.
“West Indies cricket has given me all that I have, a good career and in my life, and therefore I didn’t hesitate to help and give back to these youngsters who are coming up and what it takes to be a professional cricketer.”
He was speaking to Weekend Sport at Kensington Oval on the eve of the ongoing match. Last October 2, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced that “for the first time has awarded multi-year contracts for several of its top men’s and women’s players for the next two years”. Roach was not on that list.
Additionally, it was noted in the communiqué that: “Kemar Roach is in discussions regarding a new dual playing and mentorship/coaching role as he begins to plan and consider the next stage of his cricket career”.
There has been no update on the matter since then.
Roach has continued his storied international career and played a crucial role with the bat and the new ball in the extraordinary victory in Pakistan recently, before he got injured taking a spectacular diving catch. He started his rehab in Multan under the physio Dr Denis Byam and fitness trainer Ronald Rogers and was under the care of Barbados physio Dr Jacqui King since he returned home.
“When it comes to playing for Barbados, I’m always ready when called upon, I respect the flag and respect the legacy of our cricket. So, I will definitely be part of the team, once selected, for the match next week against Jamaica here at Kensington Oval. I had a slight pull in Pakistan but I’m pretty good now. I just need a bit more. I’m in good spirits and I will be ready to go next week.”
FACTS & STATS
– Kemar Roach career
85 Test matches: 285 wickets (average 27). Best Bowling: 6-48 95 ODI matches: 125 wickets (average 31). Best Bowling: 6-27 – including a hat-trick
175 first-class matches: 559 wickets (average 26). Best Bowling: 8-40
• Roach is fifth highest on the West Indies all-time wicket-takers list in Tests
• Roach has won the English Country Championship three times with Surrey
(Philip Spooner)
