Dubai: West Indies have included two uncapped batters in their squad for next week’s first Test against India and recalled a spinner for what could be his first appearance in almost two years.
The West Indies commence their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a two-Test series at home against Rohit Sharma’s side and the Caribbean team announced a few surprises in their 13-player squad for the opening Test in Dominica.
Left-hand batter Kirk McKenzie earns a call-up on the back of some strong performances for West Indies A during their recent series with Bangladesh A, while fellow southpaw Alick Athanaze is also in line for his Test debut after he was included.
Chief selector Desmond Haynes believes the young pair have a long future ahead of them and is backing them to perform well should they win selection against India.
“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.”
Jason Holder is eager to make an impact with bat and ball for the West Indies at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023
But perhaps the biggest shock was the inclusion of Rahkeem Cornwall, with the tall off-spinner in line to play his 10th Test and first since November 2021 if he is included in West Indies’ final XI.
Cornwall’s selection is due to the fact the first-choice spinner Gudakesh Motie is out injured, with left-arm tweaker Jomel Warrican also included in the squad of 13 and in contention to take on India.
“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 said.
“They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job.”
The West Indies made the cautious decision to leave out young pacer Jayden Seales and experienced all-rounder Kyle Mayers from the squad as they recover from injury, with opening batter Kraigg Brathwaite once again named to captain the side.
The West Indies recently missed the chance on qualifying for this year’s World Cup and Haynes said it was important for his side to forget that result and focus on obtaining a fast start to the new World Test Championship cycle.
“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,” Haynes added.
“We want to build and improve and strive to move up the ladder.”
The first Test commences at Windsor Park in Dominica on July 12, with the series then switching to Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad for the second Test from July 20.
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
Courtesy: ICC