Kolkata, Nov 14: West Indies coach Ottis Gibson lauded the efforts of his bowlers on Day 1 of the Eden Test against India while speaking to the media at the end of first day’s play. He was especially appreciative of Kemar Roach and backed Devendra Bishoo to do better in the rest of the series.

Excerpts from his media interaction:

On the day’s play

It is always tough to play here [at Eden Gardens]. History says that you usually go at an economy-rate of three an over. We are going at [around] 3.8 an over and hopefully we can get it down for the remainder of this innings. Our guys toiled hard. We knew it was always going to be difficult early on bowling to [Virender] Sehwag, the way he plays. Credit to all the guys, the way they hung in during the course of the day and to get five wickets […] was reward for what was a tough day for us.

On the wicket

[It] was disappointing but [it is] natural subcontinental cricket. The wicket in the subcontinent over the years has always been like that and we sort of expect that. It has not really spun a lot either for the spinners. We have spoken about that and we expect that. Credit to Kemar [Roach] for the way [he] came back after the Test matches. He tried very hard but didn’t get [the] reward; it’s good to see him get a wicket at the end of day’s play after having bowled three really good spells. Hopefully he can build on that tomorrow.

On Kemar’s selection

It was a tough decision. You look at the pitch and you think maybe you can play two spinners. Look at the historical evidence [and] you weigh up what you might get from a second spinner in a place like India where their batting line-up all grew up playing spin. [We have] extra pace with Kemar [so] we went with Kemar and it has worked out quite well for us. Ravi Rampaul, [we] missed him [but] Kemar came in and filled that space well.

On Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid is a class batsman. He has been that way the best part of nearly twenty years. He has been in best form this year. I saw something flash up on the board – that he is now the leading run-scorer this year in Test cricket. […] I’m sure he will make runs in Australia as well. It is good to get him this evening and that gave everybody a lift; especially with young Kraigg Brathwaite getting that wicket, that’s good for us in the dressing room. It’s nice that our bowlers don’t have to come back and see Rahul walking up tomorrow morning to take guard again.

On Devendra Bishoo

It is something that we have spoken about, the workload on young [Devendra] Bishoo. He has been our main spinner for the best part of nearly ten months now and he has done well for us. […] Indians have grown up playing spin, [even] the great Shane Warne, the best spinner of all times came to India and was not that successful. Bishoo does a great job for us, keeps picking up key wickets all the time and I’m sure he will play a major part in the rest of this Test match. There have been times when Bishoo hasn't been able to string together as many good balls as he'd like but he does a great job for us still.

On the strategy for Day 2

Tomorrow is a new day. We will come with a positive mindset; we will try to restrict them as well as we can.