‘You’ve got to be smart in one-day cricket’ – Roach

Kemar Roach, the Windies pacer, says his team need to play an aggressive brand of cricket if they are to finish in the top two at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier and progress to the tournament proper.

Coming off a good run of form in the domestic 50-over games back home, where he picked up 10 wickets in five matches for Barbados in the Regional Super50 tournament, Roach is concentrating on managing small niggles and playing smart.

“I’m always fighting, backing myself to perform," said the 29-year-old. "I’m in a good spirit right now, and I just want to go out and give it my best shot.

“You’ve got to be smart in one-day cricket now. It’s been tougher on bowlers, you’ve to be smart, do your job, and do what is required for the team to win.”

Roach, who is on 99 ODI wickets from 67 matches, within touching distance of becoming the 16th West Indian to join the 100 club, also lauded the appointment of Alfonso Thomas, as the team's new bowling coach.

“Thommo is a fantastic, well-respected bowler,” said Roach. “He has brought a lot of ideas to us so far. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Teammate Carlos Brathwaite has admitted that the Qualifier is not where the two-time winners of the World Cup, and reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, want to be. But Roach said it is now time to get their game faces on and prepare for the challenge ahead.

“We just have to play our style of cricket, just play our brand, express ourselves, and be positive,” he said. “I don’t see why can’t come out on top in this tournament – we’ve world-beaters on our side. Once everyone fires, we should be fine.”

West Indies take on UAE in their first match of the tournament on 6 March.