The Cricket West Indies (CWI) introduced a 13-member squad for the first Test match against India on Saturday, July 8. Star all-rounder Kyle Mayers is lacking the group as a result of his current involvement within the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2023. Batters Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze have obtained their maiden call-ups whereas all-rounder Rakheem Cornwall returns to the Test group after a protracted interval.
After lacking out on the ICC World Cup 2023 qualification, West Indies will flip their focus to red-ball cricket with a two-match Test collection beginning on July 12. Star all-rounder Jason Holder and pacer Alzarri Joseph had been recalled from ICC Qualifier early to hitch the squad. The duo missed the final sport against Sri Lanka which they misplaced by eight wickets.
Kyle Mayers, 30, was a part of West Indies’ final Test outings against South Africa in February this yr. He took six wickets throughout two innings within the final Test match against the Proteas and has spectacular numbers in red-ball cricket. Spin all-rounder Cornwall is included within the group for the first time since November 2021 whereas left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican additionally returns with Gudakesh Motie out injured.
Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie are in rivalry to make their Test debut within the first match after spectacular performances with West Indies A group on the Bangladesh tour. Lead selector Desmond Haynes revealed that the selectors are impressed with the duo’s current efficiency and added that each batters deserve this chance.
“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,” Desmond Haynes stated.
West Indies Squad for First Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood (VC), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan
