Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite has been dropped while Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have received recalls as the West Indies announced their 15-member squad for the the two-match Test series in India which starts on October 2. Brathwaite, a veteran of 100 Tests, had lost his place in the XI in the final match of the West Indies’ home series against Australia earlier this year.
The right-handed batter had scored 4, 4, 0 and 7 in the first two Tests. Brathwaite had become only the 10th West Indies cricketer to have completed 100 Tests in the second Test at Grenada.
Roston Chase continues as captain of the side. Keacy Carty, Johann Layne and Mikyle Louis are the names apart from Brathwaite who featured in the series against Australia and are absent from the squad for the India tour. West Indies had lost that series 3-0 and the manner in which they lost the last Test – being all out for a record low score of 27 in the second innings, triggered an emergency meeting to be called and a number of questions being raised on the team’s future in the longest format.
“The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling,” head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement. West Indies have also called up left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, with Sammy saying that he will be their second spinner as they expect “helpful conditions” in India.
“The national selectors have opted to rest Gudakesh Motie for this red-ball series given the demands of the upcoming limited-overs schedule, the highlight being the ICC T20 World Cup in February and March next year,” Cricket West Indies further said.
The first Test will be played in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6 and the second will be hosted in New Delhi from October 10 to 14.
West Indies 15-member squad for two-match Test series in India
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.
Team Management:
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith.
