West Indies today announced their 13 member squad for their upcoming 1st test against India which is starting from 12th July. It will take place in Dominica.
Two players will make their debut for West Indies, Kirk Mckenzie and Alick Athanaze. Rahkeem Cornwall who makes his debut against India in 2019 will again be seen after a gap of one year. He last played in November 2019. Two traveling reserves are also there Tevin Imlach and Akeem Jordan. Gudakesh Motie had been gone for rehabilitation due to his injury and Jomel Warrican will be seen in his place.
Desmond Haydes, West Indies chief selector said, “We had Jayden Seales here in the camp and he had made good progress during his rehab from surgery. However, we felt he is not yet quite ready to return, and we don’t want to risk him at this stage. Kyle Mayers was also considered but he has some niggles, and the precaution is not to have him in the rigors of a five-day match at this stage.
….We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They both have played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job.
….We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of Mckenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ team tour of Bangladesh. These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity.”
West Indies squad for the 1st test:
Kraigg Brathwaite ©, 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 and Akeem Jordan.