By India Today Sports Desk: West Indies made some shocking inclusions and exclusions of their group for the upcoming Test sequence in opposition to India. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led 13-player squad for the primary Test in Dominica contains two uncapped batters and the return of a spinner.
Left-hand batter Kirk McKenzie has been known as as much as the squad primarily based on his robust performances for West Indies A throughout their current sequence in opposition to Bangladesh A. Alongside him, left-handed batter Alick Athanaze can be in line for his Test debut. Chief selector Desmond Haynes expressed confidence within the younger duo, believing they’ve a promising future in West Indies cricket.
“We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh,” Haynes mentioned. “These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity.”
However, the most important shock within the squad is the inclusion of Rahkeem Cornwall, the tall off-spinner. Cornwall is about to play his tenth Test and his first look since November 2021 if he’s chosen within the ultimate XI. This choice comes because the first-choice spinner Gudakesh Motie is sidelined attributable to damage. Left-arm tweaker Jomel Warrican has additionally been included as an choice to tackle the Indian group.
“We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department,” Haynes mentioned. “They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job.”
Looking forward to the sequence, selector Desmond Haynes emphasised the significance of forgetting the frustration of lacking out on qualifying for this 12 months’s World Cup. The group goals to start out the brand new World Test Championship cycle on a optimistic observe.
Haynes mentioned: “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.”
The first Test will begin at Windsor Park in Dominica on July 12, adopted by the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad from July 20. West Indies
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.