Test future bright for West Indies following series triumph

West Indies captain Roston Chase believes the future is bright for his side as he dwells on their recently completed ICC World Test Championship campaign.

The West Indies became the first team in the current World Test Championship cycle to complete their full allotment of fixtures when they drew the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka to clinch a 1-0 series triumph, with the Caribbean side finishing their campaign on a high courtesy of a two series victories for the calendar year.

It was also the first time since 1994 the West Indies have completed a calendar year without losing a Test series, with Chase already optimistic about that the side can achieve during the next cycle (2027-2029) should they continue their upward curve.

"We had a tough time in the first year of the cycle. We spoke about coming to dominate the second year in the cycle, playing against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh," Chase said.

"We thought that these were teams that were closer to our skill level and obviously closer to us in the rankings. So, we wanted to challenge ourselves in terms of winning all three series. We won two out of three, so I thought that it was a good year.

"We did not lose a series (this year). This is something that hasn't been done for a number of years. So, it just goes to show that when you sit down and plan and you put in the hard work, anything is achievable. I just think that we're going in the right direction as a unit and as a team."

There have been many shining lights for the West Indies in recent times, with Justin Greaves and Shai Hope each amassing a bulk of runs to currently sit inside the top 10 for run-scorers during the current cycle and pace duo Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales similar among the top wicket-takers.

First-chice spinner Jomel Warrican also won praise from Chase for his performances across the cycle, with the accurate left-armer having claimed 27 wickets from eight appearances that included a Player of the Series effort during the two Tests with Bangladesh.

"I thought Warrican bowled well in both games," Chase said of Warrican's Player of the Series heroics. 

"He controlled his economy rate very well and I thought that he built a lot of pressure and put the balls in front of the batters for a long period of time. 

"So, I thought that was the hallmark of his bowling throughout the series, along with spinning and straightening as well. So, I thought that he really kept us in this series and really won the series for us."

Series Schedule

First Test - 28 October to 1 November, Mirpur

Second Test - 5 to 9 November, Sylhet (Match Drawn)