‘Sky is the limit’ – Chase impressed by Auguste’s coming-of-age fifty

West Indies stand-in captain Roston Chase was left impressed by Ackeem Auguste‘s maiden T20I fifty against Bangladesh in Chattogram. The visitors completed the 3-0 whitewash in a comprehensive five-wicket win, with more than three overs to spare. Auguste was one of three changes in the West Indies side, after they rested regular captain Shai Hope, and the out-of-form Sherane Rutherford for the dead rubber.

Auguste treated the packed crowd in Chattogram with some impressive hitting particularly on the leg-side. He struck Rishad Hossain for three sixes in the 13th over, and having been dropped in between the sixes, it shifted the match’s momentum in favour of West Indies completely. Auguste and Chase added 91 runs for the fourth wicket, after Amir Jangoo, who warmed the West Indies’ bench for most of this Bangladesh tour, struck a few blows in his 23-ball 34.

Chase, who also made a half-century, said that Auguste is an improved cricketer than what he had seen couple of years ago.

“I thought he had a great innings,” Chase said. “I have played with him in St. Lucia in the last couple of years. He has improved steadily. The Ackeem I used to know, would play some exciting shots and then get out for 20 or 30. I find out that he is maturing very much. He is understanding how to build the innings now. The sky is the limit for him. I think he has a very rare ability to strike the ball. He has a clean swing. He has to continue doing hard work and keep believing.”

Chase said that the difference between the two sides’ in the third T20I was the partnerships. Bangladesh had a 63-run stand between Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan, but Tanzid did most of the scoring in the home side’s innings.

“I think Bangladesh never really had a big partnership, or one partnership where two batters stood up. It was only the left-hander, while all the guys were getting out around him,” Chase said. “The plan was to bat normally, get six to seven runs per over till the 15th over. But as me and Ackeem got in on the wicket, it became easier to play our strokes. The ball was coming on to the bat. I think it was the best wicket of the three games. We capitalized on the balls in our area.

He also gave a shout out to the West Indies bowlers who performed strongly in the T20I series, in particular Romario Shepherd who finished with seven wickets in the three matches, including a hat-trick in the third game. Moving forward, though, he wanted the fielding to be better.

“Actually I was so focused on the game that I didn’t realise he had taken the hat-trick,” Chase said. “I didn’t remember that he had taken a wicket in his previous over. I am happy for him. I think he executed well in all three games.

“We dropped too many catches. The bowlers were spot-on with their plans. I want to congratulate them on their performance.”

ESPNCricinfo