14 December,2009 07:56 AM IST | | Khalid A-H Ansari
Dubbed the "Smiling Assassin", West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach is confident he can strike fear in Australian batsmen in the third Test starting in Perth on Wednesday.
The 21-year old Barbadian, who shot into prominence when the senior West Indies pace men were engaged in an industrial dispute with their Board, says his confidence has been boosted following his capture of Ricky Ponting's wicket twice in three innings.
"Ponting is one of the best batsmen in the world. I have a lot of respect for him. To have his wicket a couple of times is really a big prize," Roach is quoted as saying.
Roach, who consistently bowled at 150km/h in the last Test at Adelaide, is looking forward to encountering the top-order Aussie batsmen again on the reputedly fast and bouncy WACA wicket at Perth.
"I really think I can bowl much faster. I think I can get up to 155km/h in Perth easy," he said.
I want to bowl as consistently and as fast as possible and try to bowl what the batsmen don't expect.
"My rhythm to the crease and my fast arm action gives me the pace. I'm pretty strong.
"Most of the wickets in the world are flat, so to get one bouncy and pacy like this one makes me really happy.
There are not many wickets in the world like this one. I should enjoy it here," Roach said of Perth, where India defeated Australia by 72 runs the last time they played here last year.u00a0
Australian captain Ricky Ponting agrees Roach could be "quite a handful in Perth".
"As you can see, every spell he's bowled, almost every ball he's bowled is hovering around 150km/h We knew that he was capable of that. He's hit his areas really well.
"He's someone who could play a fair bit of Test cricket for them in the future.
"Anyone that's bowling that sort of pace will trouble any batter, especially later in the game when the bounce gets a bit variable. That's when you're at your most vulnerable."
West Indies captain Chris Gayle said: "We are really looking forward to seeing him go on the Perth pitch. I hope he goes out and expresses himself and keeps enjoying the game.
"He was regularly clocking 150 km/h in Adelaide and that is something I haven't seen in a long time in the Test arena.
"Kemar settled every single one of the Aussie batsmen and they really don't look comfortable against him."
However, former Australian captain Steve Waugh has said that although he believes there is no doubting the talent of the West Indian, he cannot win the Test by himself.
u00a0"If Jerome Taylor or Fidel Edwards were about to support him the West Indies would be a real chance at the WACA," Waugh said.
"I don't think the West Indies can win because they don't have enough bowlers to take 20 wickets. I consider Roach a real talent, and it's fantastic they've found him, but I don't think there is anyone else in the squad who can bowl quick.
"Ravi Rampaul and Darrenu00a0 Sammy aren't the answer in Perth. I feel a bit sorry for Roach because he's worthy of the (Curtly) Ambrose and (Courtney) Walsh, the (Malcolm) Marshall and (Michael) Holding-type combinations.
"The West Indies always had great bowling combinations but he's (Roach) had to do it all himself here," Waugh said.
(Source: The Daily Telegraph and Sun Herald.)
