In a major leadership transition, Roston Chase has been chosen as the new captain of the West Indies Test cricket team. Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the move after a board meeting in which the decision had full support.
Chase, who is 33 years old and an all-rounder, will don the captaincy of the home Test series against Australia that commences June 25, 2025, at Bridgetown, Barbados, his home ground. The series serves as the commencement of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship for both teams.
The captaincy presents itself at a critical juncture in Roston Chase’s career. His most recent Test outing was against South Africa in Johannesburg two years ago, his 49th cap. The West Indies have since played 13 Tests without Chase being in the team.
Even with his exclusion from recent Test teams, Chase has leadership and experience, having previously led the West Indies in one ODI and one T20I. His comeback will be tantamount to a symbolic significance as it will coincide with his 50th Test appearance.
Leadership Transition: Kraigg Brathwaite Steps Down
Chase takes over from Kraigg Brathwaite, who captained the Test team in 39 games before his resignation in March 2025. During Brathwaite’s captaincy, the West Indies won 10, lost 22, and drew seven. Notable highlights during his tenure include:
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A home series victory against England by 1-0 in 2022
A historic Gabba victory in Australia in January 2024
A drawn series in Pakistan in early 2025, by 1-1 in January and February 2025
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Brathwaite’s removal came after CWI’s general restructuring, where Shai Hope took over captaincy in ODIs and T20Is. Appointing Roston Chase in the red-ball format finalizes the leadership jigsaw.
Roston Chase: Batting Revival and Captaincy Challenge
Statistically, Roston Chase has made 2265 Test runs at a batting average of 26.33, with five centuries. As an offspinner, he has picked up 85 wickets at a bowling average of 46.00. His batting average, which once reached 48.53 in the early part of his career, has come down drastically, something he will be looking to correct as captain.
Chase made his impact early with a century in his second Test against India in 2016, which contributed towards saving the Jamaica Test. His form later wavered in the following years, but his leadership skills and experience have now allowed him to lead from the front.
What’s Next for Roston Chase and West Indies Cricket
With Roston Chase’s debut captaincy in the three-Test series against Australia, everyone will be paying attention to how he develops his rebuilding West Indies team. He has a combination of young blood and experienced bowlers at his disposal, but his captaincy will chart the course of West Indies cricket for the impending WTC cycle.
The CWI posted the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), thus solidifying Chase’s identity as a future team hub figure.
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