Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 16-man squad led by Roston Chase for the three-Test series against Australia at home starting later this month in Barbados. White-ball speciallist Brandon King, Kevlon Anderson and pacer Johann Layne have received maiden Test call-ups. Also, white-ball captain Shai Hope and John Campbell have been recalled into the squad. The big ommission from the Test squad is veteran pacer Kemar Roach.
36-year-old Roach has played 85 Tests and taken 284 wickets at an average of 27.21, including 11 five-wicket hauls. His last Test appearance was against Pakistan in Multan earlier this year where he bagged a couple of wickets. He does not possess an impressive record against Australia. From 13 Tests, he has 34 wickets at an average of 40.23. However, at home, he has 21 wickets from four Tests against Australia.
"Despite being under consideration, veteran pacer Kemar Roach has not been included and has been duly informed," CWI said in a press statement.
Other major exclusions from the Test squad are Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Kavem Hodge, Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair. Wicketkeeper-batter Da Silva missed the squad despite being the second-highest score in WI Championship.
Sammy on inclusions in Test squad
After making wholesale changes to the Test squad that toured Pakistan, head coach Daren Sammy said that the team needed to go into a different direction.
“We analyzed what the top teams in the world are doing and what is needed for us to bridge the gap. We have identified a direction, along with the group of players and resources to give us the best advantage as we seek to take the team up ladder and challenge the best in the world,” Sammy said.
Sammy is excited to see Anderson being part of the squad. He also said that Hope will provide consistency whereas there is a specific role for King. He hopes to improve eighth-placed West Indies' Test rankings.
“I’m excited about the inclusion of young prospect Kevlon Anderson, who comes in after solid seasons in our domestic competitions to help provide stability in the top order, while the return of Shai Hope is welcomed given his consistency in white ball cricket. Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings,” Sammy added.
The Test series will begin on June 25 at Kensington Oval, Barbados. However, West Indies and Australia will kick-off their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign with the third Test which will be a pink-ball Test. The Day/Night Test will begin on July 12 at Sabina Park, Jamaica.
West Indies' Test squad for Australia series
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.