Kiriaj Brathwaite will lead the team in Australia, while Tajnarine Chanderpaul, Alec Athanasi, Joshua Da Silva and Alzarri Joseph will be the core of the team.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced beneficial changes to its Test squad for the upcoming series against Australia, with seven players who have not previously played in the squad. While the likes of Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers have made themselves unavailable, several players who played against India earlier this year have been left out – Jermaine Blackwood, Raymond River, Rakim Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel and Jomel Warrican.
“The team has been affected by the unavailability of some key players,” CWI captain Desmond Hines said.
“However, we have had a very strong red ball program in place over the past year, which has unearthed great talent across the region. The selected players have passed every test put to them and should now be given the opportunity to showcase their skills” in the Test arena. “Australia away from home is always a challenge, but we are confident in our team.”
Kiriaj Brathwaite will lead the team in Australia, while Tajnarine Chanderpaul, Alec Athanasi, Joshua Da Silva and Alzarri Joseph will be the core of the team. In a new development, Joseph has been appointed as Brathwaite’s deputy.
The West Indies are scheduled to play a four-day warm-up match in Australia before the first Test starting on January 17 in Adelaide. The second Test will be played under lights from January 25 at the Gabba.
West Indies Team: Kiriaj Brathwaite (C), Tajinarin Chanderpaul, Alec Athanasi, Kirk McKenzie, Joshua da Silva, Alzarri Joseph (VC), Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Kaveem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Moti, Tevin Imlach . Shamar Joseph, Zachary McKeskey