Roston Chase Emulates Garry Sobers, Imran Khan En Route to Ton, Frustrates India

Roston Chase hails from the same island as Garry Sobers and Gordon Greenidge - Barbados. His batting prowess is, however, little known as compared to the star batting duo. Yet when it mattered the most, he made his compatriots proud by scoring a gritty ton that helped West Indies draw against India in the second Test on Wednesday.

Chase, who had earlier taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Jamaica Test, has now a century to his name in only his second match. He reached the century mark in 175 balls. He stayed unbeaten at 137 at the end of the fifth day.

Emulates Gary Sobers, Imran Khan

Chase also emulated Sobers by becoming the first West Indies player after him to score a century and take five-for in the same Test. Sobers had achieved the feat against England in 1966.

This is also the first time in 34 years that somebody has achieved the awesome feat against India. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan did the same in Faisalabad in 1982-83 series.

His century turned out to be even more crucial for West Indies, already down 1-0 in the four-Test series, as it took them to an unexpected draw after being reduced to 48/4 on the fourth day.

Crucial stands

Chase came out to bat at No. 6, with overnight batsman Jermaine Blackwood, on the fifth day with West Indies trailing India by 256 runs. The duo were involved in a 93-stand as West Indies reduced the lead. 

Blackwood departed at 63 but Chase carried on with West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (74). For the sixth wicket, they stitched a 144-run stand which frustrated India.

He was involved in another century-run stand with captain Jason Holder (64*) as West Indies forced a draw.

"Great feeling," says Roston Chase, Man of the Match. "That I could help draw a match for my team after having fallen behind by a long way. My aim is to be equally good in both batting and bowling, but I prefer batting more.

"The captain asked the players to show some fight. We just went with the mindset that we were at war, and we can't die today. Last night myself and Dowrich had a conversation if one of us gets a hundred, we will be safe."