West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick has revealed that he expects big things from young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph ahead of the team’s tour of New Zealand later this month.

After a measure of some success when the team’s faced off in the Caribbean, the 23-year-old had also been expected to have a solid performance on the team’s tour of England earlier this year.  Those hopes failed to materialise, however, as the bowler toiled but only managed to pick up three wickets in the first two Tests.  He was dropped for spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for the third and final game.

Estwick, who was quick to point out that he has constantly encouraged the young bowler to seize the moment, expects a much better showing this time around, along with the usual suspects Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, and Kemar Roach.  

“I have high expectations of Alzarri Joseph for this tour.  He has been around for a while and I’ve been trying to get him to realise that it’s time now that he really stands up and puts in big performances,” Estwick told members of the media from the team’s training facility in New Zealand on Monday.

“Those four will be very important to us, as you know the pitches in New Zealand are not spin-friendly.  So, the spinners might have to play more of a containing role while the fast bowlers are the key wicket-takers.

Since making his debut against India in 2016, Joseph has claimed 28 wickets in 11 matches.