"The aim was to make batsmen play as much as possible and obviously you can create some chances," says Roach after five-wicket haul in England's 77 all out
Thursday 24 January 2019 22:50, UK
Kemar Roach says Windies chose not to make England follow on in Barbados as they did not want to bat last on a "tough" pitch.
Roach bagged 5-17 as England were shredded for 77, their fourth-lowest total against the Caribbean side, on day two of the first Test to hand Windies a first-innings lead of 212 at Kensington Oval.
Home skipper Jason Holder decided not to reinsert the tourists and the difficult nature of the surface was perhaps shown as the hosts slumped to 61-5 before closing on 127-6 to lead by 339.
"There was - but the aim was not bat last on the pitch," Roach told Sky Cricket when asked whether Holder had given consideration enforcing the follow on.
"The pitch has toughened up a bit for the batsmen. It is is a bit jumpy, uneven - some balls are keeping low, some balls are jumping.
"Three hundred runs is going to be tough for the English if we can get the ball in the right areas. That's the plan going forward."
Roach took each of his five wickets - Rory Burns, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler - in 27 balls after lunch, having switched from the Malcolm Marshall End to the Joel Garner End.
The 30-year-old's five-wicket haul was his ninth in Tests and second against England, having claimed 5-17 at Lord's in September 2017.
"The aim was to make batsmen play as much as possible and obviously you can create some chances. It's important to bring them forward," he added.
"I have felt better but the ball came out of my hand pretty well. I am happy with the performance and to restrict England to as low as possible. I was ready to go at any time for the team."
Watch day three of the first Test between Windies and England live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) and Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401) from 1.30pm on Friday.
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