West Indies announced their senior men's national squad for the upcoming Test match against India. The decision-makers name a 13-member squad with Kraigg Brathwaite bestowed with the task to lead the team. West Indies and India are scheduled to cross swords in a full-fledged bilateral series which will begin with Test matches. The first Test will be played at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica from July 12.
The squad boasts of two-left-handed batters who are in line to receive their maiden Test cap. Kirk McKenzie was rewarded for performing well with the West Indies A side while Alick Athanaze, who is yet to play a Test for West Indies, was also named in the squad.
Chief Selector Desm]ond Haynes exuded confidence in the two young batters and said that the dup deserved the opportunity based on their recent performances.
"We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent 'A' Team tour of Bangladesh," Haynes said.
"These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity."
The Men in Maroon will arrive for the Test series against India straight after their harrowing display at the ICC ODI World Cup qualifiers. Haynes believes that the team should now strive to start the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a fresh approach and forget about the recent disappointment.
"Looking ahead to the series we know it will be a challenging one as we start the new cycle of the ICC Test Match Championship. We want to build and improve and strive to move up the ladder," said Haynes.
West Indies squad for first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan.
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