Big blow to West Indies as star pacer ruled out of India Tests due to injury, uncapped player announced as replacement

West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India due to an injury. Uncapped pace-bowling all-rounder Johann Layne is set to take his place in the squad. This is nothing short of a major blow for the West Indies as Joseph was in brilliant form coming into the red-ball assignment against India.

Notably, in West Indies' previous Test series against Australia, Joseph had picked up 22 wickets in just six innings. He had rattled the opposing batters and had absolutely dominated over Pat Cummins & Co. He was expected to play a key role in the series against India as well, however he will not be participating in any of the two Tests.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have officially confirmed through a social media post that Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming assignment and has been replaced by Layne in the squad. Not only is the latter uncapped, but also doesn't have much experience at the first-class level either. He has only played 19 matches in the format, scoring 495 runs and picking up 66 wickets.

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"Johann Layne has replaced Shamar Joseph in the squad for the test series against India. Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited overs series," the post read.

Joseph to participate in Bangladesh series?

CWI also confirmed that Joseph will be re-evaluated ahead of the side's white-ball tour of Bangladesh which is set to begin from October 18, a few days after the Test series against India concludes. West Indies' assignment against Bangladesh comprises of three T20Is and ODIs each and it remains to be seen if Joseph will be able to return to the squad for the series or not.

West Indies' stacked pace attack

Meanwhile, Layne will be joining the likes of Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip and all-rounder Justin Greaves in West Indies' pace attack for India Tests. They have also decided to keep three spin options for the tour in Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre and captain Roston Chase.

West Indies squad for India Tests: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.